March 28

Morning

of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. — Eph 3:19 BSB

The love of Christ, in its sweetness, its fullness, its greatness, and its faithfulness, surpasses all human understanding. Where can words be found to describe His unmatched, unparalleled love for His people? It is so vast and boundless that, like a bird skimming the surface of a lake, even our best descriptions only touch the surface, while the depths remain unexplored. No wonder the poet wrote, “O love, you fathomless abyss!” for Christ’s love is truly measureless and unfathomable—none can grasp its fullness!

To even begin to comprehend the love of Jesus, we must first understand the majesty He left behind and the depths of humiliation He endured on earth. But who can measure the majesty of Christ? When He was enthroned in the highest heavens, He was truly God, the Creator of all. By Him, the heavens were made, and the stars were upheld by His almighty power. The praises of angels continually surrounded Him, and the universe’s endless hallelujahs flowed to His throne. He ruled supreme as God over all, blessed forever. Who can comprehend the height of His glory?

And who can comprehend how far He descended? To become human was already an unimaginable condescension, but to be a man of sorrows was far more. To suffer, bleed, and die was incredible for the Son of God. But to endure such immense agony—to face a death of shame and be abandoned by His Father—this is a depth of love that no mind can fully grasp! Here is love—love that surpasses knowledge! May this love fill our hearts with gratitude and inspire us to live in ways that show its power.

Evening

When I bring you from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing aroma. And I will show My holiness through you in the sight of the nations. — Ezek 20:41 BSB

The merits of our great Redeemer are a sweet fragrance to the Most High. Whether we speak of the active or passive righteousness of Christ, there is an equal beauty and fragrance. His active life, in which He perfectly fulfilled God’s law, was a sweet aroma that made every command shine like a jewel in the setting of His own person.

Equally fragrant was His passive obedience, when He endured suffering without complaint—hunger, thirst, cold, and nakedness. He sweat great drops of blood in Gethsemane, gave His back to the whips, His cheeks to those who pulled out His beard, and was nailed to the cross to endure the wrath of God on our behalf.

Both His life and His death are sweet before the Most High, and because of His doing and dying, His substitutionary suffering and obedience, God accepts us. What preciousness there must be in Him to make up for our lack of worth! What a sweet fragrance to cover our foulness! What cleansing power in His blood to take away our sins! And what glory in His righteousness to make us, who are unworthy, acceptable in the Beloved!

Believer, note how secure and unchanging our acceptance is because it rests in Him! Make sure you never doubt your acceptance in Christ. Without Him, you cannot be accepted, but once you have received His merit, you cannot be rejected. Despite all your doubts, fears, and sins, the gracious eye of Jehovah never looks at you in anger. Though He sees sin in you, in yourself, when He looks at you through Christ, He sees no sin. You are always accepted in Christ, always loved and cherished by the Father. So lift up your heart in song, and as you see the sweet-smelling incense of the Savior’s merit rise before the sapphire throne tonight, let the incense of your praise rise as well! "He has made us accepted in the Beloved!" (Ephesians 1:6)