How Wide and Long and High and Deep is Christ’s Love?

Picture a mother and her child arguing in fun: “I love you more!”

“No, I love you more!”

That’s the scene someone painted when they listed Eph. 3:14-16 as their favorite passage. A debate b/t parents and kids trying to out-do each other in expressing love for each other.

You probably know how hard it is to truly express and receive love. Whether you’re a giver of gifts or use acts of kindness, whether you give words of affirmation or lots of hugs & kisses, or prefer expressing love w/ time together, it’s hard to fully express the depths of your feelings, your connection, your commitment, and your shared experiences.

Poets and songwriters try, but love runs so deeply, it’s so personal that nobody can properly put into words the love b/t parents and children. It’s hard to find words that mean enough for the affection and love b/t siblings or friends. It’s hard to capture the love b/t husband & wife. Love must be experienced.

Preachers, mentors, and parents have the same trouble expressing the love that God has for his people.

Let me tell you: it’s heart-wrenching to hear folks talk about a child or grandchild who doesn’t have faith in God or love for God’s church: there’s often tears in their eyes, wishing their child would know how much God loves them.

Last Sunday we reflected on the right we gain by faith in Jesus to become children of God. Were you here when we reflected on the opening paragraphs of John’s gospel? Do you remember?

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

John 1:11–13 (NIV)

Paul’s message to the church in Ephesus gets at our relationship from a different angle. Paul prays that the Chr. in Eph. grow to know and appreciate the depth of God’s love for them in Jesus:

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

Ephesians 3:16–18 (NIV)

What does that mean?

Earlier in the letter, Paul described his role “making plain the mystery of the gospel.” We heard some of the mystery earlier in the service. The mystery is revealed through Jesus, the gospel, the letters, lessons, and sermons of the apostles and prophets.

Few things are more frustrating than seeing someone you love in danger or in pain yet being helpless to rescue them. I can’t count the hours I’ve sat w/ one or other of my kids at home or in the hospital watching them struggle to breathe. I’ve been w/ Robin in L&D 5X, helpless to make it easier. I’ve watched my grandparents in pain and breathless from end-stage cancer. Each time there’s deep love and deep feelings of helplessness.

Here's the thing, though. Our Father in heaven is not helpless as he watches his creation in danger and in pain. God can do something and has done something to rescue humankind from our bad life-choices; choices that lead to suffering and death.

Our first parents chose a path of rebellion and disobedience, ‘way back at the dawn of time. All of us have been stuck with the consequences of those choices ever since. Even though humankind was created full of love and generosity to God and neighbour, our default position of rebellion means we don’t live up to God’s expectations to love him and love neighbour. Even our most intimate relationships are tainted by selfishness. We struggle to put the interests of others ahead of our own.

Sin contaminates and spoils relationships. It drives a wedge b/t family members and friends. Sin pushes us far from God. Sin leads to loneliness. Sin isolates us from others; from God.

A big part of love is honesty, being willing to speak the truth in love. Here’s the truth: all humankind are rebels against God’s love. God in his love, pulls you aside to let you know that you’re in danger of death, you risk being cut off from his love forever.

Rather than watch helplessly, God is willing and able to help. There was never any doubt of God’s plans to rescue his people. Immediately after finding them hiding in the garden, God promised Adam & Eve he would rescue them. As he covered their shame and nakedness with new clothes God promised their guilt would be covered too.

The mystery in the OT was how: How would God rescue humankind and all creation from sin and death?

That mystery is unpacked in the gospel.

We’re still in the season of Christmas, marvelling at God’s love which compelled him to humble himself for our sake: true God becoming truly human: wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

God’s love leads to an even greater sacrifice. People persist in rejecting Jesus as Saviour and Lord, so he allows himself to be beaten, spit upon, and crucified. On the cross, Jesus endured punishment for human sin.

· He could take your place b/c he’s 100% human.

· He could endure the punishment for sin b/c he’s 100% God.

After he died, Jesus was buried. On the 3rd day he rose to life again. By faith in Jesus, all the benefits of his death and resurrection are extended to you. Your sins are forgiven. Your relationship w/ God the Father is restored. B/c God loves you and all humankind, you’ve been rescued from sin and death. Your guilt and shame have been covered by Jesus’ righteousness by Jesus Christ’s love.

You want the power “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ?” Look at the cross. Look at the empty grave. Fix your eyes on Jesus, alive and victorious crowned as King and Saviour.

A simple children’s song celebrates God’s love for you:

Jesus loves me this I know,

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to him belong,

They are weak but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me (3X), the Bible tells me so.

When you tell a baby how much you love them, you’re not looking for a big response. Blowing raspberries on a baby’s belly and crooning, “I love you! I love you! I love you!” is rewarding if your baby smiles and gurgles. But as people grow older and more mature, declarations of love call for a greater response.

There’s an awkward moment in coming-of-age stories when one character blurts out their feelings to the other. She dives in nervously confessing to her crush, “I love you, you know?”

You can’t leave a confession of love hanging in the air between you. Not everyone is comfortable expressing feelings, but (sorry guys) “yeah,” “I know,” or even “me too” isn’t enough. Saying “I love you” calls for an appropriate response; a kind response.

It’s uncomfortable, but sometimes the best response is, “Thank you. That’s very flattering, but I don’t feel that way about you.” AWK! So both people slink away in embarrassment.

But in the stories we love best, the answer is, “Wow, really? I love you too!” The risk and vulnerability of the moment leads to more expressions of love: a hug, a kiss, holding hands and plans to build that love; time together, shared experiences, and expressing love w/ flowers, dinner, or a ring.

So, what is your response as you begin to learn how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ?

Is it: “Wow, really? I love you too!”

How are you going to respond to God’s love and build on it? How are you going to learn more about “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ?”

You know how your first love letter from a sweetheart is a treasure to read and re-read? The letter gets crumpled and stained b/c you go back to hear those words of love again.

The Bible is God’s love letter to you. It tells the truth about sin and shame, but it also unpacks the mystery of the gospel: how much God loves you and all that Jesus has done to rescue you.

Read, study, drink in God’s words of truth and love. Read daily. Read Bible in a year. Read and discuss God’s Word w/ family and friends.

Can I read you a few lines from an OT prophet, describing God’s love for his people?

Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel!

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,

Daughter Jerusalem!

The Lord has taken away your punishment,

he has turned back your enemy.

The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;

never again will you fear any harm.

On that day they will say to Jerusalem,

“Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.

The Lordyour God is with you,

the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:14–17 (NIV)