LOVE AND FORGIVENESS

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13,14 KJV

Jesus not only loves us unconditionally and died for our sins on the cross, He also forgave us while He was still hanging on the cross with the blood flowing down His body.  He had been cursed, ridiculed, rejected and beaten beyond recognition yet He still walked that long lonely road to Calvary and died for us.

I’ve heard sermons about the physical torture that Jesus endured for us but I have never heard a sermon about the pain in our precious Saviour’s heart.  I believe that every time they pounded a nail into His hands, He felt that excruciating pain in His heart.  He was alone and I believe He died of a broken heart.

Even God couldn’t look at His Son while He was hanging on the cross dying for us.  Jesus had taken our sins on Him and God can’t look on sin so He had to turn away from His beloved Son.  I believe that not only broke the heart of our Saviour, it also broke the heart of our Heavenly Father and He cried.

Would you send your son to war knowing in advance he was going to be killed?  Of course you wouldn’t but that is what God did.  He knew His Son was going to be killed but because He loves you and me so much He gave His beloved Son to pay the penalty for our sins and die on the cross.  What amazing love!

Heavenly Father, we come to You with grateful hearts for Your compassion and love for us.  Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for our sins and paying the price we could never have paid.  I love You so much.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 30, 2016