His Perfect Gift of Love

   Easter is past...and with it all the excitement, celebration, and chocolate bunnies that anyone could ever wish for!

     But I have a question for you.  Did you waste your Easter?  It might seem like an odd thing to ask.  But really, did you celebrate what is truly important on Easter?  Perhaps during all the organized chaos and colorful eggs you lost sight of what really matters.  If that's you, then maybe this will help you get back on track.  Even though Easter is past, you can celebrate the Gift of Easter all year long!
 

     Most people like being popular. Most people like being the center of attention. And most people like when others praise them.  Everyone likes compliments.   It makes us feel good.

     But imagine those very same people. Your peers. Imagine them looking at you in the face.  Imagine them spitting on you. Mocking you. Hating you.

     That is what happened to Jesus. He let them do it to Him. For us.

     As Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time, crowds of people surrounded Him. They were yelling, singing, and praising Him. They exclaimed, “Hosanna!” which means “Glory to God who saves us!” They added, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!” (John 12:13)

     The crowds of celebrators wanted Jesus as their King. They laid down branches to honor Him as such. If He had given the word, hundreds of people would have stormed the city to present Him on the throne of Israel. After all, it was His rightful throne anyway, wasn’t it?

    Imagine how Jesus felt. He ruled the whole earth.  He had created the earth!  This honor must have felt good, after thirty years of living as a regular person, in a human form. Why didn’t He give the word? Why didn’t He let them crown Him King? It was His rightful place.

    Instead, Jesus honored His Father. Days later, the same people who had been singing His name were now hitting Him with sticks. They mocked Him. They spat on His face. They tormented Him. They tore His back open with whips. And they led Him away to face the cruelest death—nailed to a cross.

    I am not going to get into detail. But you probably already know the story. Jesus was hung on a cross, the worst possible death. A death for traitors, murderers, and the likes.  Do you know what Jesus said right before He took His last breath?

     “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) 

    Jesus’ heart was so full of tender mercy, that He could look down on His accusers and forgive them. He loved them that much.

    He loved US that much!  Jesus willingly laid down His life obeying His Father's will. He did it for us. He did it because He loved us that much. That love is impossible for us to imagine. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

   That is not exactly what He did for us though. Jesus lay down His life, not for His friends but  for His enemies. He died for those who hated Him. He saved us from an eternal death separated from God.  He could have stopped it.   If you remember, He had complete control over death, even raising someone from the dead! But He didn’t. He died because of Love.

    When was the last time you thanked Jesus for His perfect gift of Love?


How did you celebrate your Easter in a Christ-centered way?  Comment below!