14 Days of Love – Day 13 – Amazing Love

 “No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”  – John 16:25

 

It was the day after Sabbath and the people stood along the pathways into Jerusalem, waving palm branches and laying them upon the ground as he entered the city.  Riding upon a small colt, the King of Kings was received by all of those in Jerusalem as Hosanna, the chosen one.  Cheering, reaching out for him, singing praises and worship, the crowds accepted him as their savior.  In a matter of a few days, less than one week, oh how their attitudes and opinions would change though.

It was Friday and the people once again had gathered together.  No love in their voice, no reception or greeting with praises and worship.  They had gathered once again to ensure that this man was put to death for all his supposed claims of blasphemy.  They yelled from the crowd, “Crucify Him, crucify Him.”  What had happened in 5 days?  This man must have been a serial killer, a complete heathen, an enraged convict escaped from prison, a man who had stolen from the temple or something outrageous like this in order for the entire population of Jerusalem to be up in arms and insisting on his death.  We are told of his week throughout the gospels of Matthew, Luke and John.  In them we clearly see the amount of love, compassion, joy and peace that he had lived for.



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He challenged the authority of the time with the truthful and righteous love of the Father and in doing so, drove a wedge between them and the people.  He opened up the gates of heaven to all people, not simply the Jewish brethren of that day.  This contradicted everything the leaders had been teaching, and was seen as a challenge to their authority.  In dealing with this challenge their choice was to put him to death, and they stirred the crowd with enough distorted perspective to create this demand for his life.  They could not see that he had come from the Father to usher in eternity and the Kingdom of God.  Their blindness was prophesied by Isaiah and lived out during the life of Jesus Christ.

Jesus took the pain, humiliation, guilt, suffering and death on that cross for one purpose and one purpose only.  YOU!  As the blood dripped from his back, arms, legs, chest and head; he was completely focused on fulfilling his mission.  His mission was to sacrifice himself for the sins of mankind, such that we all would one day enter into eternity with God the Father.  That’s it in a nutshell.  He came and loved all of those he met.  He shared God’s love through parables, actions, words, joy and laughter; so that we could see the beauty of our Father.  He healed people, performed miracles and even rose the dead in demonstration of his authority granted by God above.  But, his most enduring and meaningful action of his short 33 years on this earth came 3 days after he had died.  When he rose from the grave and ascended into heaven, he put to rest the questions about who he was.

For the last 2000 years (or so) people have had to make a choice regarding their salvation.  Those who have chosen to follow this man – Jesus Christ – and accepted Him as Savior and Lord, have been promised God’s love and eternity in heaven one day.  Those of you that have denied this man, still have the opportunity to realize the truth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our salvation.  If you have questions or would like to discuss this, please email me directly at sondove1@yahoo.com  or leave comments on my blog at http://sondove.blogspot.com .  Be blessed.



Prayer (in a song):
I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.
Amazing love, How can it be
That You, my King, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know its true.
Its my joy to honor You.
    - Chris Tomlin, 2010




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