Valentine's Day is coming up in a few days, so I thought that now would be a great time for this! I'm sure you've heard of some amazing, lovey-dovey proposals that were beyond adorable and were definitely the product of some hardcore planning. Maybe the guy pulled a sneak attack, went behind enemy lines, and rummaged all throughout Pinterest to find some radically dreamy ideas that would make his sweetheart melt to the floor and scream "yes!" at the top of her lungs. Or maybe he kept it simple and just got down on one knee in their favorite and most memorable place. Whatever the case is, I can absolutely tell you without a doubt that they completely fail in comparison to what you're about to read. I'm really excited, so I'll go ahead and tell you that the answer was "YES!!!" Enjoy, my friend!
To set the stage, the proposal involved love to the highest extent. It was filled and fueled by agape love, otherwise known as the highest form of love in existence. Agape (pronounced uh-gah-pay) love has nothing to do with erotic love or brotherly love. It is in fact the only type of love that goes beyond conditions and is completely selfless in nature. Agape love is an unconditional, undestroyable, passionate pursuit. It even holds firm when that same love isn't always returned because it cannot be earned. There are no bounds holding it back or bondage restraining its power. It is relentless and can oftentimes be reckless in its desire to love no matter the blemishes presented to it. Agape love, in short, is unmatched and unquestionably pure. The proposal was in no way lacking these characteristics. Who could say "no" to this?!?
However, the proposal didn't go down as I would have expected. The route that was decided on was typical, yet totally unimaginable. It involved the bending of knees, the full dedication of a heart, a forgiving love, and the promise of marriage. It somehow managed to be both the most beautiful and most atrocious event in all of eternity. Friend, the proposal I've been speaking about isn't what you may have been thinking. This proposal was made by Jesus Christ to us during His crucifixion. He bent His knees under the burden of 39 lashes across His back, as well as the cross He was forced to carry. His heart beat not for Himself, but for us. He prayed in His final breaths that God might forgive us of our inhumanities. He promised to come back for His bride, the church, so that He could spend eternity with her. His love was pure and His motives were calculated, costing Him His life. Wow.
The Bible speaks of Christ's proposal to us: "For God so loved (agape) the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). "But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8). "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." (Romans 8:34).
I want to point out that Jesus did not wait for us to attempt to make ourselves presentable in order to die for us. Instead, He gave Himself up for us, asking for our hand and heart in marriage even in our torn and tattered condition. He did not look past the drug and alcohol addictions, physical and emotional abuse, and all the times we've slept in someone else's bed. No, He stared our innumerable sins directly in the eyes and asked us to join Him for eternity. No conditions. No alterior motives. Nothing but agape love. Even after we've cursed His name and denounced his power, He still pleads for our love because He wants to make us beautiful and perfect. He is jealous for our hearts.
One last thing: Christ is "interceding" for us. Let the weight of that statement rest on your mind for a moment. Imagine Christ literally sticking up for you, declaring to God that YOU are both perfect and worthy of being in the presence and glory of God for all of eternity. He's "forgotten" your sinful past now because He has made you worthy to be His eternal bride, as the church. His proposal was the beginning of the intercession for your soul. All He asks is that you say "yes." The question is: have you?
With love.
