The Passion of God

Imagine yourself about two thousand years ago kneeling at the foot of a cross. Your eyes are closed and your head down. You can hear the sounds of a man who is in physical agony, a man who is breathing his last painful breaths of life on earth. You can also hear the crowd behind you, mocking and laughing at the man as he utters the words, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” You raise your head and see the dying man looking down into your eyes. You are struck with the feeling that this man is innocent of any of the offenses of which he was accused. He does not seem capable of treating anyone the way he is being treated. He has the facial expression of a man who has experienced many sorrows and has been acquainted with much grief during his lifetime. He looks into your eyes as though he knows you better than anyone has ever known you, better than you know yourself. You feel drawn to him as though you understand that he wants you to be his friend, and for a very long time, even though he is about to be claimed by death. You can feel the love and compassion he has for you, and yet he is the one who is suffering and dying a horrible and agonizing death. The thought again occurs to you that he is being punished for something he did not do, something someone else has done. You wonder who it could be. Then He looks into your eyes one more time before he gives up His life, and you suddenly realize whose place He has taken on that wooden cross. No greater love has a man, than to lay down his life for his friends.

You can thank Him in your heart every day for loving you so much, but the greatest day for you will be the day you can thank Him face to face.