This is love.

Happy (post) Easter friends! Hope y'all had a glorious day of celebrating our Savior's resurrection and basking in the joy that we are now free and that we have hope in Christ Jesus.

I think what what really convicted me was how much Jesus had to suffer and it was nothing that He did but it was all because of me, a sinner. The fact that He was beaten, whipped, bruised, abused, insulted all because of my transgressions... I just kept thinking to myself that should be me. And despite all of this, He never complains or is angry with God but is always obedient to the Lord's commands no matter how much pain or suffering He is in. I mean, as it says in the devotional, the only way God could destroy sin was to direct all His anger towards His perfect, holy Son. And even in this movement, where His Father has now turned away from Him, Jesus still proclaims his obedience to  God and says I give you my life.

But what really struck me the most was how Jesus continued to also love God's people, who have turned against Him and longed to see Him die. As I was reading, I just wanted to scream at the people that He's doing this FOR YOU! But Jesus never blames them or yells at them. Even when He's in probably the most intense pain on the cross, He still yells "Father, forgive them for they don't understand what they're doing." Even in this moment, Jesus is still thinking of His children and how desperately they need to be reunited with their Father. It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus on the cross. It was love. It makes no sense to me how Jesus could love us so much and endure this despite everything we have done. It makes absolutely no sense. But that's the beauty and the mystery behind the gospel. And from hearing this, from hearing this story where someone took my place to die for me so that I could be free. From hearing that despite the disbelief in whether He was king from His people, He rose from the dead three days later and now sits on the heavenly throne next to His Father. The fact that we now get the joy and hope of knowing we will one day be reunited and get to live with in heaven forever... how is one's response not complete praise and adoration? How does one not commit themselves to a life seeking and serving our King? This is love. This is truth. THIS is what we're living for.

Just want to challenge you not just celebrate the gospel on Easter but celebrate the gospel everyday and how this perfect act of sacrificial love and the victory Christ won is what defines us... not any other earthly thing but simply His love for us! :)

Have a GREAT week!!