Have you ever tried to wrap your mind around something so incredible that it almost seemed impossible to understand?

Maybe it was the breathtaking sunrise this morning, the vast space last night, or the ocean’s depth right in front of you. Some things are just beyond what we can fully grasp. But nothing compares to the sheer magnitude of God’s love for us.

God’s love is so much more than we expect, more than we can comprehend, and far more than we deserve. It’s deeper, wider, and more powerful than anything in the universe. And the most mindblowing part? That love was displayed in the most unexpected, radical way – through God’s perfect Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus: Fully God, Fully Man

Philippians 2:5–11 gives us a glimpse into just how incredible Jesus’ love is.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. —Philippians 2:5–8

Think about what this means. Jesus wasn’t just some great teacher or a wise leader. He was – and is – fully God, the same God who created the universe, spoke light into existence, formed the mountains and set the stars in place, and chose to step down from heaven to walk among us.

How does knowing that Jesus fully understands what it means to be human make His love feel more personal to you?

He didn’t come in power or wealth. He didn’t demand to be treated like a king, even though He had every right to. Instead, He came as a servant. He experienced hunger, exhaustion, temptation and pain. He laughed with His friends, wept over loss, and felt the weight of betrayal. Jesus fully embraced what it meant to be human – all because of His love for us.

What does Philippians 2:5–8 teach us about Jesus’ humility and love? How does that challenge the way you live?

Want to know where these are in Scripture? Take a moment later today to look up these passages:

Jesus exhibited human attributes.

• He was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11).
• He got tired (John 4:5–6).
• He was thirsty (John 19:28).
• He was hungry (Matthew 4:2).
• He died on the Cross (Luke 23:46).

Jesus had emotions.

• He “marveled” (Matthew 8:10).
• He wept (John 11:35).

However, Jesus was sinless.

• Satan couldn’t get Him to sin in all his temptations (Luke 4:13).
• No one convicted Him of sinning (John 8:46).
• He did all that His Father wanted (John 8:29, 15:10).
• Others spoke of His being sinless:
  • Paul (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • Hebrews (Hebrews 4:15, 7:26)
  • Peter (1 Peter 2:22)
  • John (1 John 2:1)

Jesus was God.

• Omnipotence (fancy word for how He is all-powerful)
  • He stilled the storm at the sea (Matthew 8:26–27).
  • He multiplied the fishes and the loaves (Matthew 14:19).
  • He changed water into wine (John 2:1–11).Omniscience (fancy word for how He is all-knowing)
  • He knew people’s thoughts (Mark 2:8).
  • He knew belief and unbelief in people’s hearts (John 2:25, 16:30).
• Omnipresence (fancy word for how He is present everywhere, all the time)
  • Matthew 18:20, 28:20
• Sovereignty (fancy word for how He has supreme authority and dominion over all creation)
  • Forgive sins (Mark 2:5–7)
  • He claimed the authority of God (Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44).

The Ultimate Sacrifice

But Jesus didn’t just come to experience life on earth. He had a mission – a mission of love and redemption.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life. Yet, He willingly took on the punishment that we deserved. The weight of every lie, every selfish action, every sinful thought – we should have been the ones to pay the price. But Jesus took it all upon Himself. He suffered, bled, and died in our place. Why? Because His love for us is so great that He was willing to endure the unimaginable so that we could have new, abundant life (John 10:10).

This is the extravagant love of God. A love that doesn’t hold back. A love that gives everything. A love that sacrifices.

Alive in Christ

There’s more to the story, though. It doesn’t end with Jesus’ death. If it did, then we’d still be lost in our sins. But God’s love is a love that brings life.

Ephesians 2:4–5 reminds us: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved.”

Jesus didn’t stay in the grave. Three days later, He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death once and for all. And because of His Resurrection, we can experience new life. A life that isn’t bound by guilt or shame. A life that isn’t defined by our mistakes. A life that is secure in the hands of a loving Savior for all of eternity.

What Does This Mean for You?

So, what does all of this mean for you? It means that Jesus’ love isn’t just a story from the past – it’s a reality for you today.

1. You Are Fully Loved – You can do nothing to make God love you more or less. His love for you is complete, constant and unchanging.

2. You Are Forgiven – Because of Jesus, your sins don’t define you. When you accept His sacrifice, you are washed clean and made new.

3. You Are Called to Love Like Jesus – Philippians 2:5 tells us to have the same mindset as Christ. That means we are called to serve, love, and put others before ourselves.

4. You Have a Purpose – Jesus didn’t just save you from sin; He saved you for a purpose. You are part of His story, meant to shine His love to the world.

Conclusion

God’s love is more significant than we can imagine. It’s overwhelming, unexpected and completely undeserved. Yet, it’s offered freely to each of us. Jesus, fully God and fully man, humbled Himself to the point of death on the Cross so that we could experience new life with Him through His Resurrection.

Take a moment to reflect on that. Let it sink in. The God of the universe loves you personally, deeply and unconditionally. Have you ever surrendered your life to that love? If not, will you receive that love today? If so, how have you let that love change you today? Finally, who will you, in turn, share/show that love to today?

Wrapping Up

What is your response? Work through this activity to consider where you stand with Jesus.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:9-11

How have you responded to Jesus?

• I have never responded to Jesus, but I’m open to it.
• I am ready to respond in faith to Jesus for the first time.
• I need to re-focus on how I respond to Jesus.
• I’m not perfect, but I’m intentional about my response to Jesus.

What’s one truth from this devotional that you want to hold onto and apply to your life?

Pray

Spend time this morning thanking God for His love. That is so much more than we could ever expect. Admit that you are undeserving of so much love, but then thank Him for still showing and giving us His love. Ask God to open your eyes today to see how you can love those around you, whether they are strangers by the pool, families on the beach, other students at Beach Camp, your condo leader, etc.