Unreturned Love

Have you ever experienced unreturned love? You know, the type of love that puts the needs of others before your own? The type of love where you will forgive without cause, give far more than you could get back? Whether it’s within a friendship, a relationship or even within family, it can often prove to be the greatest feeling. But I’m sure even the best of us have had times where we’ve wondered, is this fair?

When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him three times, each time, Peter responded with, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” It seems Peter even got offended when he was asked the third time. I mean, I reckon I’d respond the same way! Though Peter had already denied Jesus three times, Jesus was not calling Peter out on his denial. 

As Jesus was whipped, beaten, crowned with thorns that pierced through His skin and pinned to the cross, He did not think of those who had wronged him, or whether they even deserved His sacrifice. Instead, He endured it all, because of the love He had for us. He sacrificed everything so that through His love, we might have life. His love is lavishly unselfish. It is unrelenting. It is a perfect love that chases us and keeps no record of wrongs. 

How beautiful is it, that though Peter denied Him, the only thing Jesus cares to ask about is Peter’s LOVE? He doesn’t focus on Peter’s failing. He doesn’t ask for explanations like we might have expected, but instead, He asks “Do you love Me?’

Jesus pursues each of us not for obedience, not for repentance, not for promises, not for our behaviour, but for a heart of love; because once we have that all the rest will follow. We will then “feed His lambs”, “tend to His sheep”, giving others the love that gives life.

Through the fruit of the Spirit, we have this love alive within us. Though we can never reciprocate the greatest sacrifice ever made, we can always give the greatest gift we have ever received which was given to us unreservedly. 

So whenever you begin to wonder if you are giving more love than you receive, pause. Rejoice. Unreturned love is proof that God’s love is alive within you and it is simply the greatest gift you will ever give.