The Importance of the Cross-Part II

GOD – LOVE

“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” (John 3:16-17 NIV).

As I ponder the different perspectives of people at Calvary, the first to come to mind is that of the Father. Almighty God, who put this world in place and created human beings to be in relationship with him, had to have the heaviest heart on that day. This God, who used to walk in the Garden with his original creations, was now sacrificing his only son in order to renew his relationship with humanity. “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you’” (Genesis 3:8-9 NIV)?

Even though man failed to love his Creator, God still desired a relationship. And even though man tried to hide from God, the Lord still sought him out.

Human beings have done a wonderful job rejecting God. It is at the crucifixion that God had to reject his son in order to save humanity from their sins. Of course, God’s rejection of His only son was out of love for his creation.

What an interesting way to reverse the curse placed on creation by humanity! The Almighty needed a sacrifice to cover the sins because of his justice. This just God used to allow the blood of unblemished animals to be used to cover sin, but he sent Jesus to be that final sacrifice to continually and forever cover sin. Why his son and not the continued blood of animals? Was it to make our lives easier? The author of Hebrews tells us that it is because the annual sacrificing of animals was a constant reminder of guilt and that it was impossible for the blood of animals to fully cover the sin of humankind (Hebrews 10:1-18).

I cannot imagine the agony that God felt as his son was being killed and the rest of humanity stood at the foot of the cross and ridiculed him. In his mercy and love he did not pour out his wrath on humanity and rescue his son. He saw a far greater victory in restoring his creation to relationship with him. He knew his son, who was part of him, gave up his life for the good of all.

How has God called you to love him and others? What has he called you to give up for the sake of a relationship with him? He gave up his son for a relationship with us because he loved us that much. “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete…We love because he first loved us” (1st John 4:16b-19).