When Loves Makes a Choice Part 2

by John Lowe
(Laurens SC, USA)

Jesus believed that the suffering would only last for a moment.
The glory that would come through the cross was for all eternity.
It has been stated before: "No cross, no crown."
Without the cross, there would be no coronation of Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
In general anything worth getting is hard to get.
This is true in academics, sports, and other learned skills, crafts, and techniques.
The world is filled with people who have missed their destiny because they would not pay the price.
The price may be sacrifice, even self-sacrifice.
But the suffering that lasts for a moment gives rise to eternal glory.
It was true for Christ, and it is true for us.
III. Since the cross was love's choice, it was a voluntary act.
Jesus repeatedly stressed that his death was voluntary.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus pointed to the cross.
When the woman in Bethany anointed the feet of Jesus with precious ointment, some saw it as a waste, but Jesus told His disciples, “She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial.” (Matt. 26:12).
Following Peter's great confession at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus repeatedly told the disciples of his death and resurrection, even though they didn’t catch the references until after the resurrection.
Jesus knew what the cross was; it was an instrument of death.
He was not unacquainted with the agony of the cross when he made love's choice.
So, why did He do it?
He did it for me!
Jesus gave himself for us!
It was not for himself that he died.
He died for us.
He gave himself for our sins.
Therefore, you are one of “His own special people”.
The promises of God through His Word are yours to receive.
The only condition is your continued faithfulness and loving obedience as a follower of the living Lord.
Although all of us will stumble and fall short of His glory, the Lord Jesus has made provision for our failure through His cross.
We must simply confess our sin and be cleansed and restored; then, forgetting the past, continue ahead toward His upward call.
This transforming work is a process that requires daily choices to live life on God’s terms; but it is not a burdensome task, for He enables you by His grace and the power of His Spirit to walk according to God’s will for your life.
In the First World War, a magnificent young French soldier was seriously wounded.
His arm was so badly injured that it had to be amputated.
The surgeon was grieved that the soldier would have to go through life maimed.
When the boy regained consciousness, the surgeon told him that he was sorry he had lost his arm.
The young man replied that he did not lose his arm; he gave it—for France.
Jesus gave his life—for us.
Conclusion
The work of Christ on the cross was for us.
It is effective in dealing with our sin.
It enables us to triumph in the situation that sin created inside us, between us and others, and between us and God.
Nothing else was required because God was satisfied.
In "World Aflame" Billy Graham tells of a hill overlooking the harbor of Macao on the south coast of China.
Portuguese settlers once built a massive cathedral on a hill, but a typhoon proved stronger than the work of human hands, and the building fell some centuries ago.
The building fell in ruins except for the front wall.
High on the top of that jutting wall, challenging the elements down through the years is a great bronze cross.
In 1825 Sir John Bowring was shipwrecked near there.
Clinging to the wreckage of his ship, at long last he caught sight of that great cross, which showed him where he could find safety.
This dramatic rescue moved him to write the words familiar to millions:
In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o 'er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story. Gathers round its head sublime.
When love made a choice, it chose a cross.
By that cross we can know and experience the love of God, and we can have life.
What is your choice based on love's choice?