The Bible describes a kind of sacrificial love almost unknown in our self-focused, self-indulgent culture. This love gives of itself without expecting anything in return. It extends itself into acts of compassion at the expense of our own comfort. In extreme circumstances, this kind of love even forfeits its life to rescue another.
This kind of love sobers us. Self-sacrifice? Compassion? Giving up life itself? The price tag on that kind of love stirs up second thoughts, even in the best of us. And we’d probably have third and fourth thoughts about laying down our lives for a hardened criminal—or even for that crotchety neighbor up the street.
There is, however, one person who practiced true agape (self-giving) love. That person poured himself out fully. He gave up everything on behalf of others, on our behalf. The God-man Jesus Christ was born more than 2,000 years ago to a virgin from the dusty little town of Nazareth. True God, King of kings, Ruler of the Universe, worshiped and served by angels, he laid all that aside to lie as a tiny human baby in a manger in Bethlehem.
The events that make up the birth, life, and death of Jesus shout out one truth: God is love! (1 John 4:16)—unconditional, boundless, agape love! Though we often act in very unloving ways, his passion for us never wavers. Though we falter and fail, his desire to claim us as his own forever never dims. Christ has committed himself to us in a pure, all-encompassing, eternal love. That sweet perfume of commitment despite the cost defines his very essence.
Because we can’t save ourselves, God’s unimaginable love moved heaven and earth to rescue us. Romans 5:8 tells us: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” In unwavering commitment Jesus suffered the beatings and thorns, the hatred and spittle, the nails and spear. He endured separation from his heavenly Father, bearing the curse of hell itself on a bloodied cross—all to save a sinner like you, a sinner like me! Perfect love became the perfect sacrifice, the sinless sacrifice God demanded as payment for our sins.
Jesus loves you! He finds you lost and wandering. He rescues you and enfolds you in arms once held by nails to his cross. You mean everything to Jesus. He knows your hidden sins, your shameful secrets, and still his agape love enfolds you. His nail-pierced hands are his pledge of sins forgiven. He invites you to believe that. To know his peace today and to live with him in his family in his heavenly home tomorrow.
Christians wear crosses on our lapels; we string crosses from chains around our necks; we hang crosses on the walls of our homes. An ancient symbol of terror and torture, the cross has become for us an emblem of victory. Each time you see a cross in these next weeks, remember that while Christ was on the cross, you were on his mind. Christ on Calvary, arms outstretched—whispering your name, seeing your pain, saying to your hurting heart: God is love.
