He had a choice, you know....

Christ knew what was coming......He asked for any other path that might spare Him and still accomplish the will of the Father. He had a choice.....

Nevertheless....He was arrested. He was falsely accused. He was tortured. He dragged His own cross through the streets for all to see. He was humiliated and nailed to that cross. Then, His cross was dropped heavily into the ground and He was lifted up in agony and shame, perfect and holy....and alone...because He chose to.....

I have choices. I can choose to forgive and love my enemy. I can choose to be joyful in difficult circumstances. I can choose to be sacrificial with my time and resources. I can choose to not be offended when I am wronged. I can choose to put myself aside and lift up my Savior. I can do this in His strength and because I love Him.

When I think of the choices He made on my behalf and totally for my benefit, I am ashamed. I am ashamed because I am reminded of choices He has put before me that would represent small sacrifices for me. I am ashamed because I choose selfishly. Over and over. Time and time again, my choices have demonstrated my self-love......it breaks my heart....and yet He loves me. It is these choices that required His sacrifice on His cross. For me. I should be willing to do ANYTHING to show Him my love. But it would seem, I choose to show my love only when it is easy, when no sacrifice is involved......Can that really be love? Genuine love?

When I view my life and its difficulties in comparison to the trauma of the cross......well, it's pathetic. I do so little and whine so much....but...Always, His scarred hands reach out to me. Always, He is willing to bring me into the arms He stretched out on that cross and hold me close to the body that was mutilated for me. He loves me beyond my sin.....

Halleluiah! What a Savior!