Reckless Love

Aug. 31

Read: Judges 16

Reckless Love

“After this he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah…” (v.4)

Was Samson a fool for loving Delilah? Was it sweet the way that he remained loyal to her? Or was he a fool to come back to her time and time again? Do we read this narrative and think, “ahhh, that is sweet!” Or do we shake our heads and say, “Dude! You are a moron Samson!” The tale of Samson’s love for Delilah is an infamous part of the scriptures, but have we ever stopped to think about whether it was pleasing to God? Was the Lord in this love story? Or is it simply “reckless” the way he still loved her?

You would think Samson would have seen a red flag when his girlfriend comes and asks him, ““Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you.” (v.6) The word we see translated “subdue” here literally means: “to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down”. Don’t you think that would raise an eyebrow or two? Samson just so happens to find himself bound exactly the way he had told Delilah and a group of men coming to attack him… what a “surprise” huh!?! So what do you think Samson is thinking when Delilah comes to him a second time? This scene plays out a second time and a third time, each with different - made up - methods of “robbing Samson of his strength and subduing him”.

Delilah is relentless and compelling. She presses Samson, and Samson finally tells her the truth. Why? What could possibly compel someone to trust and love another like that despite the multiple betrayals… especially when to love them this way could cost them their life? What were you thinking Samson! The rest of the story comes as no surprise to us. Delilah has Samson’s head shaved in his sleep and the ambush of the Philistines is successful this time, to the great detriment and torment of Samson.

Whatever we think about Samson’s love, we probably have to hold that in one hand and approach the love of Christ for us. If Samson is an “idiot” for loving this wayward woman… then what does that say about Christ loving us… “while we were yet sinners (read:opposed to, malicious, out to destroy) Christ died for us.” (cf. Rom. 5:8) If our heart cry out that Samson should abandon Delilah as soon as she betrayed him, then what do we say to Christ concerning us? Each time we have betrayed Christ, he lovingly takes us back… embraces us …still listens to us when we talk to him. As flawed as Samson is, there is a moment where his love for Delilah is not swayed and I think that is a picture for us of how radical Jesus’ love for US is. Jesus loved us even when it cost him his LIFE. Jesus loves us despite our own times of betrayal and greed. Jesus listens to us and doesn’t break communication with us through it all. So when I think that Samson must be “crazy” then I am reminded of Jesus! There was a worship song that came out a few years ago that made some waves. It was called “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury. Some people did not like the idea of God’s love being called “reckless”. I can understand their point and don’t dismiss it… yet when I think of Jesus’ love for us I feel like the song does a good job of capturing these truths. Here are some of the lyrics:

“Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. It chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, you give yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.”

Thank the Lord for Christ’s love. It is radical. It really makes no human sense. He never abandons his brothers and sisters. He never leaves them. He never cuts us off from speaking to him. He answers us. Samson’s love was still human and flawed… I know that … but Jesus’ love is perfect and real. It doesn’t “make sense” the way that we would want it to… but it is TRUE. This is good news for all of us “Delilah’s” and “Samson’s” out there. More to come. Love you guys! - JDP