Jesus came to make available to all of mankind a new covenant relationship with God. After celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples Jesus let Himself be betrayed by a friend and gave Himself up to be arrested. Why?
In spite of our reluctance and resistance, the essence and novelty of the new covenant is that the very law of God’s being is love. Pagan philosophers like Plato and Aristotle had arrived through human reasoning at the existence of God, speaking of him in vague, impersonal terms as the Uncaused Cause and the Immovable Mover.
The prophets of Israel had revealed the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in a more intimate and passionate manner.
But only Jesus revealed that God is a Father of incomparable tenderness, that if we take all the goodness, wisdom, and compassion of the best mothers and fathers who have ever lived, they would only be a faint shadow of the love and mercy in the heart of the redeeming God.
~ Brennan Manning in The Signature of Jesus
Only love can begin to explain why Jesus would surrender Himself to go through being tortured and crucified for our sins.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ Romans 5:8 (NASB)
As we prepare to celebrate Easter may we be overwhelmed by the love of God!
***
© Richard Alvey and iLife Journey, 2012. All rights reserved.
A ragamuffin in awe of God's grace and glory... pursuing real life in Jesus.
iLife Journey 
Pingback: Lenten Reflections 2012: Retreating into the wilderness with Jesus, Day 38 « missiological rumblings
Amen! Thanks for sharing…
You’re welcome Chris! Thanks for sharing the journey!