Love Freely Given
My dear son,
Jesus' love for you was not given reluctantly or under compulsion. My Son, who has authority to lay down his life and take it up again, willingly came to you in obedience to my purpose. He gave himself freely.
I do not want being loved to feel only like a burdensome debt. Within that love was a deep desire for you to live. Receive it with gratitude, and let yourself live joyfully in the life it gives.
When you help someone, I want you to know the joy of giving sincerely as well. Tonight, first enjoy the love that has already been given to you. Your Father's heart is to cherish your life and care for it tenderly.
With all my love,
Your Father
John 10:17–18
WEB17Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.
18No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.”
A short reflection
Jesus says that he freely lays down his life and has authority to take it up again, in accordance with the command received from his Father.
World English Bible (WEB) · Public DomainRead the chapter