The hot sun of Trinidad beat down on the two missionaries as they waited in the courtyard of the grade school. James and Tim were looking forward to being able to talk to the students at the morning assembly. They had a wonderful message of God’s way of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ to tell the boys and girls.
James explained the love of God and the love of the Lord Jesus to the students. He told them how that love was shown at the cross when Jesus died and shed His blood to save us from our sins and a lost eternity in hell.
During the talk, James asked the boys and girls to raise their hands and tell him of someone that they knew who loved them. One boy, about 8 or 9 years old, immediately raised his hand, and with a hurt look on his face and sadness in his voice he said, “Nobody loves me!”
Isn’t that sad? To really believe that there is no one at all who has any care or concern for us must be very heartbreaking. What we all want most in life is to be loved, and without love, life is very sad and lonely.
James was happy to tell this boy, as well as all the students, that there is Someone who loves each one of us far more than a parent, family member, friend or any other person in the world. This person is God the Father, as well as His Son, Jesus Christ. He also explained that these two want each one of us to have salvation and happiness more than anything else. Then he explained that each child could have this wonderful love by simply receiving the Lord Jesus as his or her Saviour and Friend. He also told them of the wonderful home in heaven that has been prepared through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
Can any of you boys and girls reading this story remember a verse from the Bible that tells us that God loves us? Many of you have memorized and can repeat John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16), which says, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Here is another good one: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). And here’s a short one that you can probably memorize right now: “God is love” (1 John 4:88He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8)).
We can never say, “Nobody loves me,” because Jesus loves us so much He died for us! When the Lord Jesus was on earth, a man came to Him, and the Bible tells us, “Jesus [looking at] him loved him” (Mark 10:2121Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Mark 10:21)). This is true of each one of us! Always remember, Jesus loves you, even if you don’t feel loved by anyone else!
ML-06/19/2011