Your love is so enduring, so extravagant, so unstoppable that there is nothing that You would not do for me and all humanity, in keeping with Your holiness and will.
Jesus did not really, when the time came, want to be crucified on the cross. He did not want to be separated from The Father and The Holy Spirit—The Trilogy of Love, Truth and Essence of Being. Yet, He yielded to The Father’s will.
I can’t wrap my head around how The Father, Jesus and The Holy Spirit are One yet separate, but I do know that the community of love and completeness that You have together is perfect.
Being ripped from that perfection, even the thought of it, was devastating to Jesus—in so much that He sweat tears of blood. Nonetheless, He did it. He obeyed The Father.
In this time of Lent, may we reflect on the soul crushing sacrifice of Jesus. I know that I sometimes feel like Christmas is the most special holy holiday, but it’s really Easter and this time before Easter. This is when Jesus knows that His time is coming to make the ultimate love sacrifice. He doesn’t stop, though. He remained committed to The Father’s will. Jesus continued to preach the Good News. He continued to heal the sick. He continued to free the sinner. He continued to show us how to love God and each other.
“‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Help me God feel this in my heart—what You did for me. I know this in my head. I know that You were a sacrifice to atone for my sins, so that they may be forgiven and I could stand righteously before You. But does my heart really appreciate the immensity of it? Do I truly know that it was a soul crushing sacrifice for me personally? Do I feel the weight of my sin and what it cost for it to be released and extinguished?
With it, You gave me with the gift to come to You freely anytime, anywhere and for any reason in prayer. No rules, no huge fanfare—rather, an honest and simple relationship.
Blameless, holy and perfect I look before You. I should be astounded. Thank You Jesus!
In the Blessed and Beautiful Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
