A Church for the One Who Loves the Church (Devotional 2 of 2)

Daily Reading: Genesis 29

Scripture Focus: So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. (Genesis 29.20)

Devotional Thought: In 1976, I met my future father-in-law, Nick Moore. He was a great father-in-law. He didn't make me work 7 years for my wife. (Nor did he switch her out for her homely sister on our wedding day! Lana didn't have a homely sister, anyway...)

Jacob didn't have as good a father-in-law as I had. When Jacob didn't have a dowry to give for Rachel, he offered to work for Laban in order to gain his bride. Laban took him up on it. Jacob didn't mind. Those seven years passed quickly because he loved her so much.

The Church is the bride of Christ. Like Jacob, Christ spent his life trying to win us. But more than that, he loved us so much that he gave his life for us!

Do we love The Church?

In one of his last encounters with the disciples, Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" Peter said, "Yes, I love you!" Three times Jesus asked. Three times Peter answered. And what was Peter to do if he loved Jesus? How was he to show that love? Jesus didn't ask him to do great and mighty deeds. Jesus didn't ask him to spend his days writing and singing love songs for him. Jesus didn't ask him to buy him expensive and thoughtful gifts. Jesus simply told him, "Feed my sheep. Take care of my sheep." Jesus' concern was for his bride. He loves The Church!

How is it that The Church has become optional with some Christians? May God give us grace that we, like Jacob, would be willing to serve seven years for The Church, and then serve another seven, and another...

Prayer: Jesus, I know that you love The Church. You died for The Church. You are building The Church. Help me to love what you love, to live for what you died for, to build what you are building Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. 13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (Psalms 27:4-14)