How far can God go?
Jesus’ love and mercy for us is infinite. During his horrific passion, he was concerned about the pain and suffering we would have to bear (because of our sins) (Luke 23:26-28), and not about his own pain and suffering. His pain and suffering were infinitely greater than what were visible to the onlookers, because, they were pain and suffering inflicted on an infinite, holy and sinless God. Furthermore, in order to save us from eternal suffering, He took the suffering of every human being upon Himself. Though he is infinitely more powerful than all the rulers of the world combined, he did not offer resistance when he was mocked, spat upon, humiliated and brutally scourged. He did this to completely empty himself of self on our behalf, so that we may be free of sin, and thereby find peace and joy. This is what love is. It is not to just forget what our offenders have done to us, but to go all out, even to the extent of loosing our own life, in order to help them to recover from their destructive way of life. When one human being lays down his life for another, it is a great love; but when God who is infinite lays down His life for human beings (who are so insignificant compared to him), its magnitude is infinite. Love therefore, has no limit. Because love is unconditional, if we hold back anything in the process of helping others, it is not true love. Because God is love, Jesus who is God, is “love incarnate”. He expresses divine love, which is infinite, in human form. It is impossible for finite beings like us to understand the infinite love of God. However, when we see divine nature in his human form, we get a faint glimpse of the magnitude of his love. In other words, when we realize that in order to save us, an infinite God took a human form; and not just a human form, but also a human form that was rejected, battered, humiliated and killed (by a method reserved for the worst criminal); we faintly realize the magnitude of His love. In His battered, beaten and crucified body, we therefore, see the glory of God. He instituted a perpetual memorial of His sacrifice, in which He gives us His sacrificial body and blood as real food and drink (Luke 22:17-20); so that people of all generations are able to nourish their souls and have an intimate relationship with Him. He also instructed us to keep Him in our heart by offering His sacrifice as often as possible (Luke 22:19). Through this memorial, He makes His infinite sacrifice ever present to us. This allows us to join in His sacrifice (as members of His body-a priestly people) and offer our life for the service of others. By His sacrifice, God established a communion of life with us. In this communion, He becomes our father by transmitting his own life to us; and we become His sons and daughters, by possessing His life. Each of our natural parents contributed a cell with half the number of chromosomes during our conception. God on the other hand contributed His own very life, not just a cell. In fact, in order to give us His life, He sacrificed His own. He (the king of the Universe) is therefore, our true father, and all human beings are our true brothers and sisters. Knowledge of this fact should bring us the highest degree of self-esteem, and love for other human beings.
The life of the living God in us is the presence of love in our soul, which constantly persuades us to do what is right. We can accept His life, by accepting our total dependence on Him, and by living a life of true love. When we do this, we experience His presence in our heart. We can make this experience continuous by living every moment of our life to serve others.
|
04-07-2005, 10:21 PM
Linear Mode
