His First Love, Our Shared Priority

His covenant love sets a priority, and we share that priority with our lives.

Devotional Credit

His Victorious Indwelling
Meditation by William Easton, on Ephesians 5:25

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Ephesians declares that Jesus loved the church and gave Himself for it. Today’s reading compiled by Nick Harrison slows us down to notice that specific, covenant language. God loves the world, and He calls all people to Himself, yet this verse shows a distinct devotion of the Savior to His people. He set His heart on a people who would be His own, a people gathered into one body by grace.

Today’s meditation traces that devotion across time. Jesus loved the church at the Cross. He loves the church right now as our High Priest who intercedes and serves on our behalf. He will love the church to the end when He presents His bride in glory. The New Jerusalem will shine with the beauty He shares with His people.

Easton urges young believers to really take this in. To know that the Lord’s interests center on His people reshapes our priorities. If His heart is for the church, then our hearts can move that way too, not in cold institutional loyalty, but in living love for His body.

This is not against the world. It is for the world. The Savior’s special love for His body is an open invitation. Whoever believes is welcomed into this people, joined to Jesus, and included in the care that flows from His heart. Grasping that love does not shrink our mission. It fuels it.

Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture

I set My love on you in My Son. He loved the church and gave Himself for it. I purchased you with My own blood. I raised Him and seated Him above all rule and authority, and I made Him head over all things for the church which is His body. You are members of that body, joined to Him and joined to one another.

My compassion reaches the world, and I call all people to be reconciled to Me in Jesus. I desire that all would come to the knowledge of the truth. The sacrifice of My Son is sufficient for the whole world, and I gather a people from every nation so that you may proclaim the excellencies of the One who called you out of darkness into light.

Right now your Lord lives to intercede for you. He loved His own who were in the world, and He loved them to the end. I am building you together as a dwelling place. I equip you with gifts so that the body builds itself up in love. I make you one flock under one Shepherd. I give you peace to rule in your hearts as members of one body.

Abide in Jesus. Let His word dwell in you richly. Love one another as I have loved you. Offer yourselves as living sacrifices. Be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I will finish the good work I began in you, and I will present you blameless with great joy. Nothing can separate you from My love in Christ Jesus.

Scripture References: Ephesians 5:25, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 1:20–23, Ephesians 2:19–22, Ephesians 4:11–16, Colossians 3:15, 1 Peter 2:9–10, 2 Corinthians 5:19–20, 1 Timothy 2:3–6, 1 John 2:2, Hebrews 7:25, John 13:1, John 10:16, John 15:4–12, Colossians 3:16, Romans 12:1, Ephesians 4:3–6, Philippians 1:6, Jude 24, Romans 8:31–39, Revelation 21:2

Real-Life Analogy

On your phone you probably keep a small list of favorites. Those contacts are not the only people you care about. They are the ones you have committed to prioritize. Their calls come through when Do Not Disturb is on. Their messages get your fastest reply. That list guides your attention.

Jesus has a covenant priority. He loves the world, and He has set a special, committed love on His body. Let that shape today. When a believer reaches out, or when your local fellowship has a need, allow His priority to become yours. Pause and say, Lord, I trust You to love Your people through me in this moment, then respond with the care, patience, and unity that flow from His life in you.

Prayer of Confidence

Lord, thank You for loving the church and giving Yourself for us. Thank You for joining me to Jesus and to His people. I praise You that You are building us together, that You intercede for us, and that You will present Your bride in glory. I rest in Your faithful love, and I trust You to express that love through me today for the good of Your people and the good of those You are still drawing in.