How We Know
1 John 3:16a
What the world needs now
Is love, sweet love;
That’s what they say
But how do we know what true love is
In a world that has twisted it and
Tangled it and turned it upside down?
This is how we know:
The Son of God became Man,
A tiny infant
Born not in the palace befitting a prince,
But in a stable
Whose birth was heralded by angels
But greeted only by cows and goats
And some scraggly shepherds.
This is how we know:
The Son of Man walked the earth for thirty-three years
In absolute perfection.
His every thought was pure, his every action right, his every word true.
He calmed storms on the sea and storms in men’s hearts,
He put the Pharisees in their place
He healed blind eyes, lame legs, deaf ears, and withered hands.
This is how we know:
The Good Shepherd sought his lost sheep.
He ate with tax collectors and sinners, forgave adulterers,
And offered living water to a woman at a well
Who had known many men
But had never known love.
This is how we know:
Wrapped in a servant’s towel, the King of Glory
Stooped and washed the grime
Of a long day’s journey from the feet
Of his quarrelsome disciples.
This is how we know:
The spotless sinless Lamb of God chose to hang
On a rough wooden cross
Loving his mockers
Dying for them
Dying for all of us
Paying our sin debt in full,
So that when he rose on the third day,
He could offer salvation freely
To all who trust in him alone.
Yes, truly, this is how we know what love is:
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
Made for Eternity 