All those who find Thee find a bliss
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.
Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (Early 12th Century)
By: Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153)
Listen to this version with a single solo voice as you prepare to ponder this hymn.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We continue our journey through this ancient hymn originally written in Latin, but still true today. Consider the blessing of knowing the love of Jesus. Let’s think about this.
It Is What It Is
There is normally a resignation in this cliche, but that is not how we are using it here. Instead here it is a quiet affirmation of what the love of Jesus is, the singular eternity altering reality around which hinges everything that ever was, is, or will be. Not to mention your very eternal existence.
And just what is the love of Jesus you ask?
The love of Jesus, what it is,
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV
It is our motivation, and our inspiration. It is our beginning, and our end. It is our freedom, and that which constrains us. It is everything to us, while at the same time is viewed as nothing by some. But we know better.
And this is the love of Christ, to live no longer for ourselves, but for Him who died for our sake and was raised. This life springing from death is an example of the very love it represents. This kind of other-centered love runs contrary to the understanding of love the world possesses. It is a giving love, not a taking love. It controls us, when we surrender to its influence.
And surrender we should because of the bliss that results.
Why? Because the love of Jesus is what is truly inexpressible. Our bliss flows from our knowledge of it, but it is not simply intellectual. It stirs our hearts, our souls, our minds like nothing else, for there is nothing else like it.
RESONATE!
So how will you respond to the love of Christ today? First, simply praise Him for making it known to you. That is the first miracle. Then, ask Him to show you how to live in response to it. When you do, take a few moments to listen to what He is saying to you, then let His love control you…and do it.
To Be Loved
If the love is Jesus is going to control us, what kinds of things might we expect it to ask of us. In a word, love. But who exactly and why?
The people of God. Because He commanded us.
None but His loved ones know.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 ESV
We are His. Bought at a great price. And just how do we demonstrate that we belong to Him? We show we are His loved ones by loving one another.
Do you love God’s people? If someone investigated your life, what evidence would they find to build their case. Would it confirm you do or don’t, or would it be inconclusive?
Here’s a different thought. The knowledge that only those who belong to Jesus can understand His love is both thrilling and terrifying. Thrilling because we know, and terrifying because there remain so many who do not. What are you doing everyday to help you tell the story of your Savior’s love?
RESONATE!
Loving those who love Him. Only those who love Him can know a love that enables this. This is a sober reality. If you understand this ask God to help you demonstrate you are His by loving those who love Him. Then follow that love up by building relationships with those who do not yet know His love so they can see it in you.
Jesus, thank You for the making me Yours by revealing Your love to me. Your love made me Yours. Help me to live it out in a way that allows others to know it as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sober Thinking!
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Podcast 21.3 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
All those who find Thee find a bliss
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV
Bliss is perfect happiness. In the presence of Jesus is fullness of joy. Perfect happiness, fullness of joy, sound pretty similar don’t they. That is what we find in Christ. Thank Him for making this path of life known to you, and for the eternal pleasures His right hand holds.
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ESV
There truly is no way for us to adequately portray in any manner the love of Christ, for only the Holy Spirit can reveal it to us. No tongue or pen can show it, but the Spirit reveals it perfectly and completely. Thank Him for showing you the love of Christ, the very depths of God.
The love of Jesus, what it is,
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV
And this is the love of Christ, to live no longer for ourselves, but for Him who died for our sake and was raised. Ask Him to show you how to live in response to His love today.
None but His loved ones know.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 ESV
We are His. Bought at a great price. And just how do we demonstrate that we belong to Him? We show we are His loved ones by loving one another. Do you love God’s people? Ask Jesus to help you demonstrate you are His by loving those who love Him.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
All those who find Thee find a bliss
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Knowing a Love-Induced Bliss appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
The Love of Jesus What It Is – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-god-holy-spirit-christian-3469896/
None But His Loved Ones Know – https://pixabay.com/photos/holding-hands-circle-of-friends-858005/
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