Mystifying Love – The Presidential Prayer Team

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

In 1967, Dr. George Wald of Harvard University won the Nobel Prize in the Physiology of Medicine for his studies on the pigments of the eye’s retina. In his Nobel Banquet speech, he said, “A scientist should be the happiest of men.” Later, he wrote, “What one really needs is not the Nobel prize, but love. How do you think one gets to be a Nobel prize winner? Wanting love, that’s how. Wanting it so bad one works all the time. He works and works and ends up as a Nobel prize winner. It’s a consolation prize. What matters is love.” Despite all the accolades heaped upon him, what Dr. Wald wanted most was love. One wonders if he ever found the true and ultimate Source of love, God Himself.

In discussing the Scripture found in Romans 5, theologian Charles Spurgeon wrote, “That is the glory of his love. While we were rebels against his government, he redeemed us. While we were far off from him by wicked works, he sent his Son to die and bring us near. Free grace, indeed, was this — not caused by anything in us, but springing freely from the great heart of God.” People wonder, often in bewilderment, at the scope of the love of God. “Greater far than tongues can ever tell,” wrote hymnwriter Vep Ellis. “So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,” wrote Fanny Crosby. “Love Lifted Me,” written by lyricist James Rowe with music by organist Howard E. Smith, has been recorded by artists like Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and others. Perhaps you have a favorite hymn or chorus on the love of God. Let it resonate in your heart today.

The mystifying love of God exceeds human comprehension. Rather than trying to understand it, accept it, relish it, reflect it, and share it. Pray for those in the scientific and academic communities who are searching to find exuberant love in Christ Jesus.

Today’s Verse: Romans 5:8

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: John 15:1-17

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ²Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

¹²“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ¹⁷These things I command you, so that you will love one another.