John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he
gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life.”
Have you ever had to take your child to the ER for the
first time for him to get stitches in his head because he fell down and cracked
it open? Remember the pain you felt as your child screamed and squirmed while
the doctor told to you to hold the child still. The little child in your arms
looked at you pleading for you to release him but you did as the doctor told
you to because you knew it was for his own good. Yet those eyes begging at you
and even though your heart was aching for you knew the great stress and pain
you were putting that little child through, you held on as tight as you could
while the doctor stuck the needle in the child’s head. Tears rolled down your eyes,
too. But you had to be strong and you knew that in the end it would be good for
your child. You did it out of love. Because you loved your child so much that
is why you did it. Afterwards, the child is grateful that you were there in with
him during this difficult situation and that it was you who were holding him
instead of a stranger. It hurt, didn’t it? But in the end all was well.
Have you ever taken a loved one for a chemotherapy
session? You accompany him and try to be there for him during the whole
process. You suffer along with him because you love him so much that you would
even be willing to trade places with him. Nonetheless you try to show strength
and make him smile and laugh to lessen the suffering. You do all you can
because you know that it will be beneficial to the loved one. You do it out of
love. You can be sure that the loved one appreciates your being there each step
of the way throughout the battle; win or lose. It hurts, doesn’t it? But in the
end it is worth is.
Have you ever had to deal with a friend who has lost
his memory due to a disease? You go and visit the friend despite his not
knowing who you are. You go because you know who he is and how much the friendship
means to you. You go visit him in the resting home because you love him and
love does not end just because he has lost his memory. It hurts, doesn’t it?
But in the end, you can sleep well because you have done the right thing;
honored the friendship.
There are several situations in which we do what we do,
despite the pain and inflictions, as an act of love. That is exactly what God
did for us. He gave up His only son who was crucified and died for us so that
we could be rid of sin and have eternal life. What a wondrous thing to do. Pure
love; so much love that cannot compare to any kind of love that we have felt. But
it hurt Him too. God also suffered as He watched His son being judged, whipped,
humiliated, nailed to a cross, supplicating for His help and finally dying. Imagine
the pain He felt as a parent giving up His only son, to be sacrificed to save
the world; to save you and me. So much love, so much care, so much
selflessness. John 3.17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn
the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Therefore, Good Friday
is a good day to reflect on how much He loves us. Yes, you are loved. God loves
all His children. He just doesn’t run after them. He wants His children to look
for Him and have a relationship with Him. Give it a try; it is a sure win deal.
Sometimes there is pain, but in the end it is worth it.
March 25, 2016
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