Such a Love as This...

"This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."  ~~ I John 3:16

This last Thursday in one of my 8th grade classes, my students were lamenting and railing about some new rules in the cafeteria.  These rules were recently introduced for all because of the behavior of a few.  Being the teacher that I am (once we had completed our academic lesson, of course), I opened up the floor for discussion and life lesson.  I listened while they voiced, and they listened while I shared my limited wisdom.  At one point, a student complained, "I don't see why we have to pay for what other kids did!  It's not fair!"  Without hesitation or filtration, I responded, "Well, I don't see how it's fair that Jesus Christ had to die for everyone else's sins..."  Shock and silence.  I waited for the politically correct police to bust in with the camera crews and cuffs to carry me off to wherever they take our kind.

This exchange - and many other daily interactions - compel me to the cross of Christ.  My mind cannot comprehend the sacrifices He made for me.  For you.  For all of mankind for all time.  This devo may come out a little "scattered", but that is where my thoughts take me when I consider Christ's whole work.  My finite mind is only able to hold a portions of Such an Infinite Love as This...

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  ~~ John 1:14

Jesus Christ elected to leave the glory and comfort of Heaven to wear this garment called flesh.  He elected to surrender kingship for servanthood.  The only concept I can equate this to would be today's missionaries who choose to sell and leave everything they have and know to dwell in third-world countries for the Gospel of Christ...in lands that are impoverished and vile, lands where they are often despised and persecuted.  Such a Love as This...

Bright Morning Star, Lily of the Valley, Prince of Peace, Light of the World, Faithful One, Emmanuel...

"He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.'...And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."  ~~ Luke 22:41-42, 44

Intercessor, Hedge of Protection, My Rearguard, The Great Shepherd, Shield and Strong Tower...

"...he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified...They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.  They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him.  'Hail, king of the Jews!' they said.  They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again."  ~~ Matthew 27:26b, 28-30

Jesus received the beating that I deserved.  He endured the pain that I have inflicted with my sins.  He did not fight the crown of 3-inch thorns as it was thrust upon His tender scalp.  He did not defend or speak up against false accusations and mocking, as I have often done myself.  Such a Love as This...

Merciful Savior, Lamb of God, Lion of Judah, Lord of Justice, Healer, Anointed One, Bread of Life...

"So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.  Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).  Here they crucified him, and with him two others -- one on each side and Jesus in the middle."  ~~John 19:16b-18

I can scarcely imagine the excruciating pain Jesus knew -- physical pain, emotional pain, spiritual pain -- as He carried that 300-pound, rough-timber cross upon the open and bleeding wounds of His back.  Then he willingly laid down upon the cross to be crucified with long, heavy spikes.  Such a Love as This...

Chosen One, Deliverer, Gift of God, Holy One, Horn of Salvation, Messenger of the Covenant, Redeemer...

"From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' -- which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'...And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit...When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, 'Surely he was the Son of God!"  ~~ Matthew 27:45-46, 50, 54

We don't willingly do much or give up much.  Honestly, we don't.  Our flesh despises sacrifice and selflessness.  Yet, Jesus sacrifices all.  His place in Heaven to come to earth.  His love.  His service.  His healing.  His wisdom.  His very life and spirit.  Such a Love as This...

Who Was, Who Is, Who Is to Come, The Way, The Truth, The Life, Messiah, Faithful Witness, Almighty...

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when the entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening stood beside them...'Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!'"  ~~ Luke 24:1-5

Such a Love as This...

King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Commander of Angels, The Dominion over Demons, Lord of Hosts, Name Above All Names...

"Then Jesus came to [the disciples] and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"  ~~ Matthew 28:18-20

These few verses can scarcely express and cannot contain the life and sacrifice of Jesus.  Words pale and become flat in trying to describe the suffering of the cross, the glory of His resurrection, and His parting command to Believers.  If we cannot express in words or grasp in thought, then how are we to seize and personify Such a Love as This...

Bridegroom, My Banner of Love, Dwelling Place, Sustainer, Provider, Teacher, Triumphant and Mighty, Victorious Conquerer, God of Forgiveness, Soon-Coming King...

"This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers...Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."  ~~ I John 3:16, 18