Read 1 Peter 1:6-9

“... though having not seen [Jesus], you love [Him].” (1 Peter 1:8)

Long before the advent of technology, in the mid-1800’s, a woman named Elizabeth Barrett fell in love with a man she had never seen. She did not know the color of his eyes or hair. She had no imaginable idea what his voice sounded like or what nuances he carried in his walk. Was his presence strong and vigorous, or gentle and quiet? She could not tell you.

How then could she love a man she had never seen, whose voice she had never heard? The answer is through his written words. Over a 20-month period, Elizabeth and the man she loved exchanged nearly 600 letters, each growing a mutual admiration and respect between them.

What makes the story even more profound was the state of Elizabeth’s health. She was an invalid, and had been in poor health for a long time. Her life expectancy was already on borrowed time. So when the opportunity came for her to finally meet her lover, she was insecure about her appearance. But the man she loved was undeterred by her frailty, for he had long fallen in love with her by letter, and his love for her only continued to flourish. This led to their eventual marriage, where by her husband’s fond care, her health improved and she lived for another 15 years by his side.

The beauty behind this touching love story is even more vivid when we come to realize it is our story. The Apostle Peter was speaking to a generation of Christians, both Jews and Gentiles, who had never seen the Lord Jesus Christ in bodily form. Peter does not take this for granted, but reminds the church that they can love the Lord Jesus Christ, even though they have not seen Him (yet).

Beloved, do you now see your own reflection in the story of Elizabeth Barrett? We are just as frail and sickly, having only the tender words of Christ in our hearts. But through His Living Word we have grown to love our Husbandman and accept His love in return, Who redeemed us by His own blood, and washed us in His own Words, and clothed us in His own righteousness! Hallelujah!

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)

I’m reminded of the vivid words of the prophet Ezekiel who spoke the Lord’s words to Israelites in Jerusalem. It has direct application for us.

“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord GOD. “Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head.” (Ezekiel 16:8–12)

Dear church, your eyes have not yet seen Jesus, but your heart has! Perhaps your prayers are cold because you have forgotten you speak with a Lover, not a stranger in the sky. Perhaps your Christianity is tedious because you have failed to receive His Word as sincere words of love, rather than a theological text to analyze.

Divine love is not bound by space. It is spiritual! And for this reason, it transcends our physical limitations and reaches down from heaven right into our hearts. What grace is this?

Oh, love Him, Church! Just love Him with your words and be loved by His. Will you? Will you let your words of adoration for Him fly up into His throne room? Christ hears them all (Malachi 3:16). Will you receive the Word of Christ with gladness as if it came directly from His pen? — for indeed, it has!

“...whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8–9)

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