Love is the pre-eminent character of the Creator with respect to His creatures. It is the controlling force in His divine government. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Words fail to express the depth of that eternal, changeless love. The supreme expression of divine love is the Father’s gift of His own Son (John 3:16), through whom it becomes possible for us to be “called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
God loves you this much:
-He carried the weight of your sin and received the wrath and punishment of God for it (Romans 5:9).
-During this, He said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matthew 26:38).
-And from that severe mental anguish, “His sweat became like drops of blood” (Luke 22:44).
-At the garden of Gethsemane, He longed for human affection and sympathy but there was none (Matthew 26:40).
-He could have left us at any moment yet He chose to die (John 10:18).
-His own friend betrayed Him and the rest of the disciples forsake Him (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:50; Matthew 26:56).
-He went through the most cruel and unjust trial (John 18:12-19:16).
-He was tortured that His appearance was marred beyond the point of recognition (Isaiah 52:14; John 19:1).
-His hands and feet were pierced by nails as He hung upon a cross (John 20:25-27, Psalm 22:16).
-His mental anguish because of His father’s separation even exceeded His physical pain (Matthew 27:46).
-He was ridiculed and mocked at the crucifixion (Matthew 27:42).
-Because of our sin, God’s wrath was poured on His beloved Son on the Cross (Matthew 27:46).
-And Jesus could not see eternal life through the tomb as He cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1). He saw eternal life only by faith (Luke 23:46).
-Yet, He would far rather cease to exist to ensure that you could be saved than to not go through with it and lose you (Philippians 2:8).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
