Love: Christ's Way

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

The utmost revelation of love. The ultimate sacrifice. The perfect Lamb of God took upon himself SIN. The Creator of the universe, the One who held and does hold all things together. With a thought could split the atom, sending our world into oblivion. This same One was the One who died the most painful death imaginable in that day. The most shameful demise. He hung on a cross of wood. Wood that HE created. He hung suspended from metal spikes that ripped through his wrists. He suffered the agony of being separated from His Father, because he WAS sin. He was OUR sin.

Why?

Because He Loved us. He gave the ultimate sacrifice that WE might live.

"Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friend."
If Christ's death on the cross was the picture of what love really should be, can we evalute our own relationships and see where our selfish nature has belittled the immensity that God created for our interactions with those we love.

When those we love hurt, we hurt. Have you ever experienced this personally? I have. You watch as the pain, grief, or sorrow tears to the heart of your friend or family member. And, as you watch, you begin to feel the same pain. Why? Because when we love someone, they take a place in our soul. And, when they hurt, we feel that same pain because they are part of us. We become so in tune with them that in some instances, we know what they are thinking or feeling, even if they are doing all they can do to hide it. We also are aware of anything that could hurt them, whether in what we do, or what others may do. Why? Because we love them.

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

But, the joy of friendship is rejoicing when they rejoice. Christ showed us the ULTIMATE example of Love. Christ is love. When we love, we show Christ. The risen Christ. The Christ who LOVED us!