Friday, April 22, 2022 Submitted by Donnie O'Fallon
Oswald Chambers said, “The cross is the center of Time and Eternity, the answer of the enigmas of both.” Remember … the Cross did not happen to Jesus: He came on purpose for it and you.
The Way of the Cross is Love
We just celebrated Good Friday and Easter Services last weekend. For me it was a wonderful celebration. I was moved as much as I have ever been moved by the Good Friday Service. In the Upper Room Discourse, Jesus gave His final comfort and challenge to His Disciples, then and now. You see, God makes a big deal about Love. Love is so central to the Biblical message, one would think that even if we got everything else wrong, we would get Love right. I God talked so much about Love, the question is then, why do we Love so little?
1. Could it be because love is UNNATURAL? “In the later times because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will wax cold,” (Matthew 24:12). Love is mentioned over 1,00 times in the New Testament and the repetition for the reason is, it’s Unnatural. Gods repetition says something about Him and us. He is long suffering and is willing to repeat Himself so we will get it. He hates sin but loves the sinner. Also read (1John 4:7-8).
2. Could it be because love is UNCONTROLLABLE? Remember when the children came and swarmed Jesus? The disciples admonished Him to send them away, but Jesus words were, “no, let them come.”Remember Peter’s comments at the Last Supper - “Lord, You’ll never wash my feet”, Jesus responded with, “If I do not wash your feet you have no share with Me”, (John 13:8 ESV). Remember Mary at Jesus’ feet, and how Martha criticized Jesus? His words were, “Mary has chosen the better part.” Remember the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem and the religious leaders said, “He should quiet the crowds!” Jesus asserted, “If these kept silent the stones would cry out,” (Luke19:40).
3. Could it be love is UNCONDITIONAL? “God sent His Son into the world, so that we might live through Him, in this is Love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent His Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He Loved us…” (John 4:9-10).
4. Could it be because love is UNMISTAKABLE? “A new commandment I give to you, that you Love one another: just as I have Loved you, you also are to Love one another. By this shall all men know you are my disciples…” (John 13:34-35).
He went from the Upper Room, to the Garden, to the Cross, to the Tomb. Real Love is tough, it acts, it’s down to earth, it’s alive, it’s not passive - it’s active. It has some very distinguishing characteristics about it! Love is not an emotion, but it will likely affect your emotions. Love is an active choice of volition and will! This is the kind of love that makes every other kind of Love deeper and dearer.
Draw nearer to Him and be a container and channel of His love. “Now hope does not disappoint, because the Love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirits who was given to us,” (Romans 5:5).
This is an act of submission and servant hood. Become clay in the Potters hands!
