My dad is one of the best examples of Christ’s love that I have ever known.  He loves me so much that he would truly do anything to ensure my well-being, safety, and health.  That’s how fathers and mothers are.  They would run into a burning building, or dash in front of a moving truck, in an effort to protect their children.  So how much more did our Heavenly Father love us?  So much that He gave His only Son to show His love for us.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  God didn’t just give His Son’s life for one or two people.  He gave His only Son for every man, woman, boy, and girl on this earth. 

When was the last time you said, “I love you,” to someone you know?  Was it this morning at breakfast?  Or last night before you went to bed?  Sometimes, we just get busy.  Before you know it, a day, a week, or even a month may go by before we realize we have not recently told our loved ones how much we love them.  Funny, isn’t it?  How can we become so busy that we do not tell the ones we love that we love them?  Sure, they know this already; however, we all have an inherent need to be loved.  We all need to hear those three little words every now and then.  Of course, sometimes love is shown in a different way and requires no verbalizing whatsoever.

Consider the love of Jesus Christ.  He didn’t just send us a card on Valentine’s Day.  He didn’t send us a text message, follow us on Twitter, or befriend us on Facebook.  And He didn’t make a phone call, send a letter, or e-mail us either.  No.  Jesus Christ died to show us how great His love is for us.  I John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is; Jesus laid down His life for us.”  The Bible clearly states that love is the selfless act of Jesus giving His life for us.  He loved us so much that He endured the agony of the cross, so that we might have eternal life in Heaven.  The Son of the living God went above and beyond every gift ever given in the history of mankind.  He gave His life.  Not just for a particular person of a certain race, culture, socioeconomic status, or other demographical statistic.  Jesus Christ died for every single person on the planet.

As Jesus Christ hung on the cross, He thought of you.  He knew you needed redemption.  He knew you needed a friend.  He knew you needed to be loved.  He didn’t die for fame or fortune.  He didn’t die to have His name engraved on a plaque in a prominent place or have His picture on the cover of People Magazine.  Jesus Christ died to cleanse us of our sins.  I am a sinner.  You are a sinner.  We are all sinners.  The Bible says that everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  God’s Word also states, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5).  It doesn’t say that He was pierced for the transgressions of criminals, murderers, or abusers.  It says He was pierced for our transgressions.  He bore all of the pain and suffering for everyone.  Why?  Because that is how much He loves us.

No matter what you’ve done in your life, there is no place beyond the reach of Jesus Christ.  He can make the vilest sinner clean.  Maybe you have taken drugs to the point where you think life is pointless.  Perhaps you have consumed enough alcohol that you have medical concerns being raised.  You may be abusing your family, whether physically or verbally.  In spite of all you have done, there is forgiveness found through Jesus Christ.  As Christ hung on the cross, one of the criminals hanging next to Him said, “Remember me” (Luke 23:42).  He had likely never walked in the door of a church.  He may have never read the Bible, given to his favorite charity, or even said a kind word to anyone.  But he believed that Jesus Christ had the divine power to redeem him of his sins.  Jesus said, “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Jesus Christ extends the same grace and mercy to you.  Romans 10:9 states, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  There is no special prayer or secret code.  It is simple enough that a child can understand.  Just call on the name of Jesus Christ.  Believe that He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who arose on the third day.  Put your trust in Jesus Christ today and you will be saved.  He will cleanse your sins, mend your broken heart, and fill your mind with peace that passes all understanding.  There is hope in Jesus Christ.  He loves you more than you could ever imagine!  That’s why Jesus gave His life: for love.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer