John 3: 16 – 17
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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
A few years ago I went with my housegroup to a showing of ‘The Passion of the Christ’ – it was not something I wanted to see but rather felt I ought to watch, though during the film I regularly had to close my eyes and the tension was unbearable. At the end of the movie as the credits rolled, the full cinema was eerily silent and no-one moved. All that could be heard was the sound of a few people crying or sniffing. It was an awesome and almost divine moment.
As we read again the events of that first Easter we are starkly reminded of just how much it cost Jesus to bring us salvation and the gift of eternal life. Often we sanitise the story and gloss over some of the dreadful parts of the story but when the impact of Jesus’ suffering hits us we can only stand in awe and wonder at his great love for each one of us. In response how can we do any other than offer him our worship and our lives in service to his call.
Reflect
‘May I never lose the wonder; the wonder of the cross.
May I see it like the first time, standing as a sinner lost.
Undone by mercy and left speechless, watching wide eyed at the cost.
May I never lose the wonder, the wonder of the cross.’ (StF 279)
Prayer
Lord Jesus help me to remember your great sacrifice as you died on that cross. Help me to stand in awe of your great love and mercy and to always be thankful that you loved the whole world so much – including me. Help me live out my life in thankfulness and to seek always to bring you glory and honour in all I say and do. Amen.
