Given out of Love!

Read: 2 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Corinthians 9:15

This week, I read about Mr. Kuroki and the love gift he gave to his wife. Here is their story. In the 1950s Mr. and Mrs. Kuroki moved to a farm in rural Japan which they enjoyed for 30 years, but then things changed. Mrs. Kuroki lost her sight as a result of her diabetes. She became withdrawn after that. Not even going outside. Mr. Kuroki longed to do something that would bring her out of her great sadness. Then one day, he noticed a beautiful pink flower that in addition to its loveliness also was beautiful in its fragrance, and that gave Mr. Kuroki an idea. Even though she wouldn't be able to see the blossoms, she would be able to enjoy the lovely scent of the flowers. So, he would plant those flowers, and for the next two years, that's what he did. All over the farm those blossoms bloomed twice a year, especially in March and April. The result? Mrs. People came to the farm to enjoy the display. People from everywhere. And Mrs. Kuroki? She came out of her sadness and once again, went outside to be among people. Mr. and Mrs. Kuroki have spent many happy hours walking together among the blossoms. Enjoying Mr. Kuroki's special gift of love.

Can we imagine what it was like for Mrs. Kuroki when she thought about the depth of her husband's love?

1. His gift was planned. Mr. Kuroki spent two years creating this gift of love.

2. His gift provided his wife with something she couldn't have done for herself.

3. His gift was a sacrificial one.

Even with all of these factors, Mrs. Kuroki had to go outside and receive the gift and the love that Mr. Kuroki held out to her.

Let's turn a corner if we may and think about a gift of love that is infinitely greater in its beauty and scope than the gift Mrs. Kuroki was given. No wonder Paul calls it the indescribable gift. Let's compare it with Mr. Kuroki's love gift.

1. Jesus' gift was planned, and what a plan it was. It was in place in the mind of God before creation, and God spoke of it to Adam and Eve after they disobeyed His one command, Genesis 3:15;1 Peter 1:20.The details of this wondrous plan are scattered throughout the scriptures, Micah 5:2;Isaiah 7:14 to name only two of the many verses.

2. Jesus’s gift provided us with something we could have never earned. Let's think back to the Kurokis. Mrs. Kuroki had no way of helping her husband. Her blindness and sadness made it impossible for her to help. Her inability can't be compared with our own when it comes to the gift of salvation. Why? Because God said through Isaiah that anything we could offer from our own strength is like filthy rags, Isaiah 64:6. So what can we receive instead of rags? God holds out a beautiful garment of grace. Jesus' own righteousness, Isaiah 61:10;2 Corinthians 5:21.

 3. Jesus' gift was sacrificial to the max! In 2 Corinthians 8:9, we are reminded that Jesus Who was rich became poor so that we might become rich. Imagine the love that He had that caused Him to leave heaven and come here. Imagine how He became a man to dwell among us, John 1:14 and how He, although He was also God, laid aside the independent use of His attributes, Philippians 2:5-8. He in a way that is too hard for us to comprehend, became sin so that we might become in Him, the righteousness of God, 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Ah, but now let's look at something we have in common with Mrs. Kuroki. This gift of love, held out by Jesus, must be received. We can't simply speak about it or bisect it. We can't have it because mama taught Sunday school or we always go to church. If we do receive the love Jesus offers, we will begin a walk with the Savior. We will come to know Him and enjoy His presence. Spending time with Him. Time thinking about His love and how, in a much greater way than Mr. Kuroki did, Jesus longs to enjoy time with each of us. Simply because He loves us that much.

As God enables, let's tell someone about the sweetness of a gift held out by a loving husband and how we have a God Who offers an infinitely greater gift! Given out of love!