Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Lk. 22:42)
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for His friends (Jn. 15:13). The perfect man Jesus, nailed to the cross, suffocated, shed His blood, experienced multiple organ failure, and ultimately died, wearing the crown of our sins on His head. Jesus’ love for us, so amazing, so divine. Even His three closest friends were not allowed to witness the excruciating agony Jesus bore in Gethsemane. We could never understand the depth of suffering the Man of Sorrows endured when He assumed His official position regarding sin. He who knew no sin, now became sin for us, crushed and molested by the powers of evil. He knew what was ahead: the fever, the thirst. Above all, the withdrawal of God the Father when He removed His presence from Jesus, leaving Him alone to gain the victor’s crown over sin. His three closest friends asleep, another betraying Him for the price of a common slave. His sorrow over sin, intense; His love for us, divine. Even His blood flowed outward to nourish the earth rather than inward to nourish Himself.
Does not such love compel us to agree with our Savior, “Not my will, but Thine be done”? Let us endeavor to accept our Heavenly Father’s will, His love, and His wisdom. Let us learn from our victorious Savior who voluntarily took upon Himself sin, the offspring of Hell itself. Let us fervently pray when we meet with great sorrows. God has proven that He cares for us, that He wants what is best for us, therefore let us strive to accept His will for us. Let us keep our lives in His hands; resign ourselves to His wisdom so that His purpose would become our purpose. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, we will pass through today’s sufferings and one day cross the finish line, knowing the joy of doing the Father’s will.
Would you be willing to say, as Jesus did, “Not my will, but Thine be done”? This determination cost Jesus immeasurable sufferings when His perfect nature came into close association with your sins. At the same time, y our Lord’s unmatchable love for God and man was the ultimate reason that Jesus descended to earth so He could live among sinful men. Could it be that God has a much greater purpose for the cross that He has bestowed upon you? See Him bleeding, see Him dying, see Him and love Him. Love Him and live for Him. “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”