Living by the Word

A young boy once fell into a rushing river and was being swept away by the current. His father, without a second thought, leapt in after him. The father managed to push his son to safety, but in doing so, he lost his own life.

That boy grew up knowing—every breath he took, every step he made—was only possible because his father had given his life for him.

In a much greater way, that is what Christ has done for us. While we were drowning in sin, helpless and unable to save ourselves, Jesus leapt in, took our place, and gave His life so we might live. That is the love of Christ—sacrificial, costly, and life-giving.

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane. He knew what was coming—the betrayal, the trial, the mocking, the scourging, and the cross. The weight of the world’s sin pressed so heavily upon Him that His sweat fell like drops of blood.

He could have walked away. He could have called legions of angels. Yet instead, He prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Why? Because of His love. Love that endured the agony of the cross, love that bore the wrath of God we deserved, love that looked down through history and saw you—and said, “You are worth it.”

That is the love of Christ: willing to suffer all so that we could be forgiven and brought near to God.

On the hill of Calvary, two criminals hung beside Jesus. One mocked Him, but the other turned with a simple, desperate plea: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And with His final breaths, Jesus spoke words of love and grace: “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” That thief had no chance to make things right, no time to earn forgiveness, no opportunity to prove himself. All he had was faith in Christ—and it was enough. That is the love of Christ: a love that saves to the very end, a love that meets us at our worst and offers us His best, a love that turns death into eternal life. That same love is reaching out to you today.

Romans 8:38–39:
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your love—a love so deep it took You to the cross, a love so strong it could not be broken by death, a love so personal that it reaches each of us right where we are. Help us to live in the fullness of that love, to be transformed by it, and to share it with others. May Your love be our comfort in trials, our strength in weakness, and our hope for eternity. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.”