Power of Your Love

Today, Friday! This is not an ordinary Friday that use to be throughout the year. Today is a very special day where Christ willingly enter into his passion, and die on the cross for us. The reason of Christ doing this is simple, because He loves us so much that he die for our sins so the way to heaven can be open to all of us.

The word 'LOVE' with four simple alphabet, sound so simple in life. In reality, that will not be easy for people to act upon it. In a relationship, often we hear the couple saying"How much do you love me?'' One of them might answer' My love for you is just like the height of a mountain'. But in the real sense, how many of us, for the sake of our beloved one, willing to die for them?

Now, Jesus willing to do that for us, because of His Love for us. Despite our sinfulness and wickedness, His love for us will never cease. He wants to bring Salvation for us so they we may reunited with Him in His Heavenly kingdom. The cross brings us face to face with Jesus suffering. And his death was agonizing and and humiliating.

Normally a crucified man could last for several days on a cross. Jesus' had already been scourged, beaten with rods, and a crown of thorns pressed into his skull. It is no wonder that he died mid-afternoon. Jesus was crucified for his claim to be king. The Jews had understood that the Messiah would come as king to establish God's reign for them. They wanted a king who would free them from tyranny and foreign domination. Many had high hopes that Jesus would be the Messianic King. Little did they understand what kind of kingship Jesus claimed to have. Jesus came to conquer hearts and souls for an imperishable kingdom, rather than to conquer perishable lands and entitlements.

We can find no greater proof of God's love for us that the willing sacrifice of his son on the cross. Jesus' parting words, "It is finished " express triumph rather than defeat. Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit knowing that the strife was now over and the battle was won. Even on the cross, Jesus knew the joy of victory. What the Father sent him into the world to do has now been accomplished. Christ offered himself and without blemish to God and he put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (See Hebrews 9:24-26)

St.Augustine comments on those who stood at the cross of Jesus: 'As they were looking on, so we too gaze on his wounds as he hangs. We see his blood as he dies. We see the price offered by the redeemer, touch the scars of his resurrection. He bows his head, as if to kiss you. His heart is made bare open, as it were, in love to you. His arms are extended that he may embrace you. His whole body is displayed for your redemption. Ponder how great these things are. Let all this be rightly weighed in your mind: as He was once fixed on the cross in every part of his body for you, so he may now be fixed in every part of your soul.

In the cross of Christ, we see the triumph of Jesus over his enemies, sin, Satan, and death. The cross of Christ is the safe guard of our faith, the assurance of our hope, and the throne of love. It is also the sign of God's mercy and the proof of forgiveness. By his cross, Jesus Christ has pardoned us and set us free from the tyranny of sin. He paid the price for us when he made atonement for our sins.

The way to peace, joy, and righteousness in the kingdom of God and the way to victory over sin and corruption, fear and defeat, despair and death is through the cross of Jesus Christ. Now, do you follow the Lord Jesus in his way of the cross with joy, hope and confidence?