The Intense Love of Christ

Last night as I was pressing my lips to baby soft cheeks, Sam whispered the most profound question.  He asked, "Why does Jesus keep on loving us?"

We were tucking him into bed and the question threw me for a second because we weren't even talking about spiritual matters, but rather the fact that he had been tracking his aunt Amelia.  I asked him what on earth he was talking about and he said, "smell right here."  He pointed to his pillow where Amelia had rested her head the night before.  I smelled and picked up the sweet scent of my sister.  Sam said, "See, I was tracking her."  He cracks me up, I am telling you! 

So, the segway into the intense love of God threw me.

Which seems to be Sam's style.  Throwing me off balance.  And enjoying every minute of it.

Why does Jesus keep on loving us?

My mind flashed to the news report of a mom who beat her three year old to death because he wet his pants.

Why does Jesus keep on loving us?

We wealthy Americans who choose comfort and ease over the gospel.

Why does Jesus keep on loving us?

Men who lock young boys up in their basements for reasons that can't even be put into the written word.

Why does Jesus keep on loving us?

I came to an answer.  I told Sam that Jesus is love.  I told him that it makes Jesus's heart happy to keep on loving us.

And yet, I can't grasp it.  I am so sick of the evil that I sometimes want Jesus to throw in the towel. 

And then The Redeemer gently reminds me that apart from the blood, I was the evil.  That when He died for me, I was the sinner.  His very heart is to rescue and redeem and restore overwhelmed moms who beat their children, selfish Americans who believe the world revolves around them, and men who abuse probably because they were once abused.

His very heart demands freedom.  But freedom only comes at the great cost of love.

It is profound to my small mind how the love of Christ and the righteousness of Christ intermingle in His being.  He doesn't tolerate sin in people's lives, and yet He loves with such an intense love that His heart's desire is always for people to be restored to the Father.

What are your thoughts...how would you answer the question:  "Why does Jesus keep on loving us?"