Love can drive us to do what seems impossible. For example, my wife has selfishly loved me for years, and this isn’t always easy to do. Wait a minute. Why are you laughing? I’ll bet your spouses could say the same thing about you.
I recently read an incredibly sad and heart wrenching story about a mother who died while rescuing her children from their burning home. Her love for her children cannot be denied. It reminds me of Jesus’ love for us. Jesus surrendered Himself to face death on a cross, in order that we could live. But how did mere mortal man pull off such a sinful deed? I mean, how did humanity capture deity?
There is one remarkably simple answer. They didn’t. Jesus laid down his life freely. In John 19:10-11, Pilate ask Jesus, “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” And Jesus replied, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”
Man does not manipulate God. God does not come running when man snaps his fingers. In an act of pure unselfish love, Jesus chooses to lay down his life so you and me could have life. Do you need more proof? In Matthew 26:53, Jesus says, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Humankind did not trick Jesus, He wasn’t overpowered, and He didn’t miscalculate, or make a wrong turn on the road to Jerusalem. He wasn’t like Sampson who lost his power when his secret was revealed. Jesus purposely died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6-8). In other words, Jesus saw us with all our ugliness, and willingly died for us.
Are you feeling all alone? Like no one cares about you. Can I tell you about someone who loves you more than you can comprehend? If you want to know more about this kind of love, leave me a comment. Or send me an email at jvwalker@otg-llc.com. I’d love to hear from you.
