1 John 3:1
[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Several years ago, I heard the story of a man who was standing at the top of a tall building in New York City. He was preparing to jump off the top of the building and commit suicide. Some of the people of the city had gathered around the skyscraper and began to chant for the man to jump. He could hear them as their voices where lifted up, “jump! jump! jump!”
Someone cried to the man and asked, “why are you jumping?” He replied, “because no one loves me. My parents gave me away when I was a child, and I’ve lived in foster care all of my life. My foster parents abused me and didn’t want me around. Recently, my fiancé ran off with another man and I’m left alone.” He said, “All my life, all I’ve ever wanted is for someone to love me. I’m 24 years old and no one cares. Now, I’m going to end my life.”
About that time a police officer had approached the edge of the building where the man was. He said to him, “Son, I’ll love you, if you will just come down from this building. If you will take me by the hand, my wife and I will adopt you. We were never able to have children, and I have wanted a son like you all of my life.” The man took the police officer by the hand, and at 24 years of age, he was adopted by the officer and his wife.
I remember when I was standing out on the edge of life. The demons of hell were crying, jump! Jesus stretched forth his hand and rescued me. What manner of love has been bestowed upon us as the children of God! We have been loved, adopted, rescued and brought into the family of God. This is a love that the world has never experienced. It is a divine love!