As I walked to my car, I thought about this. I was then overwhelmed with the truth behind this peace. Jesus said that He would send us a Helper, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives inside of me. The fruits of the Spirit are within my frame, including peace. But, how did this happen? How did I end up with this wonderful gift? Love, that is how.
I reflected on this love. I reflected on the depth of this love and the cost of this love. I was filled with gratitude, joy, and love. Jesus, the very Son of God, the Creator of the universe, humbled Himself and became a baby. He grew up, just like us, into a man. But then, this Man, who had never done anything wrong, who had never sinned, did something unthinkable, something so outside of reason that it makes my mind reel. He , who had no sin, became a sin offering for us, that we might become the righteousness of God. He CHOSE to be beaten, to be spat upon, to be mocked, to be nailed to a cross, to bleed, to suffer, and then to die. Why would He do this? Love. Love is why He did it. Desire for His creation is why He did it. Deep, deep desire for me and for you was His motivation. He did not merely look at that cross and see it as the end, as His finished work. He looked at that cross and in it, He saw our hearts. He saw our faces. He saw each one of us and He longed for us to be with Him. He longed to see the chasm of separation, caused by the first sin in the garden of Eden, closed. He longed for us. He longed for me, and yes, He longed for you.
There is no greater love than to lay your life down for a friend. He laid His life down for His friends. Oh, this love, this selfless, never ending, passionate, fierce love. This love amazes me. This love undoes me. This love has ruined me for anything less. This love is so wide, so deep, so long, so high that it is incomprehensible. So today, I reflect on this love, this love that conquered death and arose victorious. Nothing can separate me from this love...and I would never want to be separated from it. It is awe inspiring, beautiful, sacrificial and pure. Jesus IS love.
