“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

My younger sister just became a grandparent for the first time, so she shared a lot of pictures of this latest blessing from God in her life. In those pictures where she is holding her granddaughter, the joy is evident in her face. I know the feeling. Cheryl and I spent the Easter weekend with two of our grandchildren in Colorado. Lots of pictures were taken there, too. As evidenced by the picture above, we love being grandparents. No doubt this one will find a place on our refrigerator, which is already plastered with dozens of pictures of our children and grandchildren.

As we were driving up to Colorado, Cheryl reminded me of a conversation she had with a co-worker one morning when she was still teaching school. She said, “Jesus gave me a beautiful sunrise this morning on my drive to work.” He replied, “Do you think He did that just for you?” She said, “I know He did. He loves me so much that He has my picture on His refrigerator!”  We had heard that expression years earlier from a presenter at a youth gathering. He said that each and every one of us should know that God’s love for us is so vast and overwhelming that if He had a refrigerator, our picture would certainly have a place on it.

That love is what led God to do whatever it takes to make sure that you and I could be with Him for all eternity. That includes coming down here Himself to pay for your sins so that you would not have to do so yourself. That lavish love of God enables you to be forgiven and gain entry to His presence forever.

I hope you know just how much God loves you.

How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure
That he should give his only son, to make a wretch his treasure
How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turned his face away
As wounds which mar the chosen one, bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ; his death and resurrection
Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart: his wounds have paid my ransom