How does Jesus love? He loves without concern for reciprocity. Much of our world works on the basis of reciprocal exchange. Money is exchanged for goods and services. Security is traded for commitment when relationships become exclusive. Educators share knowledge and approval, and students give tuition. Politicians hand out contracts and benefits for votes and contributions. In this sense, economics and social life is a gigantic bargain, a mutual aid arrangement, where reciprocal benefit is the governing rule.
In every interaction, we learn to ask “What am I getting, and what am I giving here?” In fact, most of the time, we are engaged in a continuous cost-benefit analysis as we relate to one another.
Jesus is free of this pattern. He loves and helps and blesses without expecting a recompense or demanding a return.
Think about your day in terms of all the reciprocal bargains you were involved in. How many were there?
What is the most altruistic deed of your life?
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