* NO GREATER LOVE

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)

Though treated like an infidel, the I AM remains innocent.

Though manhandled like a murderer, the Messiah offers mercy.

Though ridiculed like a rebel, the Righteous One redeems our rebellion.

Though treated unjustly, Jesus delivers justification.

Though accused a liar, the Lord manifests love.

Though He suffered for the guilty, the Son rescues sinners.

"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:9-10 (ESV)

Christ received the affliction our iniquity deserves.

Christ substituted His crown for crucifixion.

Christ denied wealth to impart to us true riches.

Christ submitted to death that we might surrender to Him.

Christ forsook fame to bestow on us His fortune.

Christ overcame death to give us life.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst."

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13 (ESV)

Christ forsook glory to grant us grace.

Christ paid our debt to give our life purpose.

Christ exchanged forgiveness for our filthy rags.

Christ traded humiliation to extend us hope.

Christ gave up paradise to experience persecution.

Christ takes our misery and turns it into ministry.

"Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:6-8 (ESV)

His rejection is our reconciliation.

His injury is our invitation.

His reckoning is our ransom.

His death is our deliverance.

His righteousness is our reward.

His sacrifice is our salvation.

His resurrection is our redemption.

"For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." 1 Corinthians 15:16-17 (ESV)

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us."

1 John 3:16 (NIV)

"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. " Isaiah 53:5-6 (ESV)

Copyright 2012 by Hester Christensen.  Edited 2013.  All rights reserved.