I have a friend whose tastes in music are as broad as it gets. Knowing that it could be anything from punk to classical, I once asked him about a song he was listening to on his iPod. Judging by the way he was swaying back and forth, I knew the song was speaking to his soul.

On this particular occasion, the song turned out to be “When Love Came to Town” by U2. It’s about a man’s life before he was rescued and changed by the love of Jesus. My friend said he was particularly moved by these lyrics:

I was a sailor, I was lost at sea; I was under the waves before love rescued me. I was there when they crucified my Lord; I held the scabbard when the soldier drew his sword. I threw the dice when they pierced His side, But I’ve seen love conquer the great divide. The lyrics took me back to the apostle Paul’s reflection of himself prior to the love of Jesus entering his life: “Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other” (Titus 3:3). Commenting on this verse, Warren Wiersbe said that it needs “little explanation. We know what it means from our own experience.”

The apostle Paul went on to explain, “When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-6).

Remember to give thanks for the difference Jesus’ love has made in your life when it “came to town.”

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 5:31-48