Jesus Wants the Rose

The shocking nature of Hosea’s persistent love for a persistently adulterous wife is supposed to be scandalous. We’re naturally prone to think, “You’re not supposed to love someone this bad and this broken.” And yet Hosea’s love for his wife Gomer is like a drop compared to the ocean of God’s scandalous love for His sinful people. They continued to stray, yet He continued to love them.  

Even in Christian culture, we sometimes act or think like God can’t or shouldn’t love His sinful people. “You’re not supposed to love people this bad and this broken.” Years ago, I was deeply moved when listening to a sermon by Matt Chandler, the Lead Pastor at the Village Church in Texas. In an illustration, he reminded his hearers that “Jesus wants the rose!” Check it out and be encouraged.