Selfless love destroys the mistrust in our hearts – Tim Keller
I once heard a story about a village where a bride’s worth was measured in cows—up to 100 for the most beautiful women, far fewer for others.
A young man asked for the hand of a girl considered below average looking and offered her father 100 cows. Shocked, the father protested, “She’s not even worth 20!” (I know this is a pretty terrible story so far, but stay with me!)
The man insisted and paid the full price.
After their honeymoon, the girl returned transformed—radiant and beautiful beyond recognition. When the villagers asked what had happened, the husband simply said: “I told her she’s a 100-cow woman.”
Generous, extravagant, unconditional love transforms us.
Sometimes people complain that the grace message is incomplete—that if forgiveness is free, it will only encourage more sin.
But that reasoning fails to understand the transformative power of God’s love and forgiveness.
Tim Keller puts it this way:
“…at the cost of His life, [Jesus] paid the debt for our sins, purchasing us the only place our hearts can rest, in His Father’s house. Knowing He did this, will transform us from the inside out.”
The inner workings of our hearts change once we are moved by the sight of what it cost to bring us home. When we see the beauty of what Jesus has done for us, our hearts are drawn to Him.
This is why I sometimes wish Jesus hadn’t ended the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) where He did. Can you imagine how the Father’s unconditional forgiveness and extravagant love would have transformed the younger brother into a more faithful, loyal, loving and grateful son?
Take a moment today to gaze in wonder at the sacrifice Jesus made for you on the cross. Ponder His selfless sacrifice and allow your mind to be transformed as you receive His unconditional love and forgiveness.
