A couple of weeks ago I lead communion at my church. This is what I said:

1 John 4:10 starts with the words, “This is love …” so John is about to describe love for us. But first he wants us to know what love is not. “This is love: not that we loved God”. So he is saying here that what we feel towards God is not really love at all. So what is love? “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Our love for God is actual nothing in comparison to God’s love for us. Real love is what God feels towards us; and He doesn’t just say He loves us, He demonstrates his love by giving us His Son as a sacrifice.

Whenever we doubt God’s love or goodness we simply have to think about the Cross. A God who would freely give up His own Son has to love us. A God who would freely give up His own Son isn’t planning to ruin us, His intentions must be good.

As we take the bread and drink the cup, let’s remember God’s great love for us, that He would give His Son as our sacrifice. And let’s open up our hearts to receive that love.

Let’s pray:
Father God, We feel overwhelmed when we think about your great love for us. There aren’t enough words to express our gratitude. The response you desire is for us to open our hearts and receive your love and so this day we do … we receive your love. Thank you for sending Jesus as our sacrifice.
Thank you the Cross.
Thank you for your amazing love.
Amen