Unconditional Love
Pastor Todd Blansit
New Life Church
December 15, 2024

Imagine the scene in Luke 2:8-14 when the angels appeared to the shepherds, proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. This declaration was an invitation to experience God’s peace and love. It was the beginning of a divine reconciliation of God reaching out to us in the most profound way.

Love is not just something God does but who He is. All His actions, including creation, redemption, and judgment, are grounded in His love.

Covenant Love (Hebrew: Hesed): In the Old Testament, God’s steadfast, faithful love is expressed through the concept of hesed, often translated as loving-kindness or steadfast love. This love is central to God’s relationship with Israel (Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 136).

When we think about the birth of Jesus, we are struck by the humility of the circumstances. The King of kings was not born in a palace but in a stable. His first bed was a manger, a feeding trough for animals. His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, were not wealthy or powerful but humble and ordinary. This humility reflects the nature of God’s love. It is not grandiose or self-serving; rather, it is a love that stoops low, enters into our brokenness, and walks alongside us.

Through the incarnation, God came into the world to dwell among us. The shepherds, considered outcasts by society, were among the first to receive the announcement of Jesus’ birth, showing that God’s love reaches the margins. The Magi (Wise Men), foreigners from distant lands, were drawn to the light of the star, symbolizing that God’s love knows no borders. Christmas is the story of a God who pursues us, no matter who we are or where we come from.

Real Biblical love is not just a feeling; it is an active choice.
Empowered by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces love in the believer’s life as a fruit (Galatians 5:22).