You.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 316 one Valentine's Day, a young fellow named Jim hired an airplane to tow a 125 foot long banner over his hometown. The message on the banner read, judy, will you marry me? A local television camera crew filmed the plane, and a recorder caught up with Judy. Well, asked the reporter, what is your answer? I said yes, she said. How could I say no to that? She laughed. I'm in shock. I mean, he's such a crazy man and all, but this is the biggest thing he's ever done. When God declared his love for us human beings that he had created, he didn't write it across the sky. Instead, he sent his son to pay for us the penalty for our sins. We often use a heart as the symbol of our love for each other. It's plastered on posters, cards, candy and flowers. I heart you is a popular, though slightly overused, expression that commonly appears on text messages that we send to each other. The symbol of God's love for us, however, is a cross. That is why the apostle Paul wrote, may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians six, verse 14. Once the feared symbol of cruelty and death, the cross is now embraced as the greatest symbol of God's love for us. The great old hymn written by George Bernard in 1912 speaks of the symbol of God's love and of the response of those who were overwhelmed by it. On a hill far away stood an old, rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame. But I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son. How amazing is the love of God for us.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to [email protected] have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.