When Jesus took our place on the cross, all future history was changed. Instead of humanity having to suffer under the burden of its sin, we instead got to revel in God’s unbroken love poured out through his Son’s death on the cross.
Romans 5:5 says:
“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
The first level of love that flowed from and through the death of Jesus was sacrificial love. Death is the ultimate act of self-sacrifice. There is no coming back, no undoing of the deed, no way to: Oops, let’s try that again. Jesus willingly gave his life for humanity that he might atone for our sins and reconcile us with the Father. His sacrificial death demonstrated the true depth of God’s unbroken love for his creation.
The next level of love is that of forgiving love. God is a good and loving god. He is the supreme force in the heavens and on the earth. He wants to do good things for his children, including offering us forgiveness when we turn unto him. The cross is his testament to his forgiving nature. Jesus’ sacrifice is his way of creating a path to forgive our sins and restore our relationship with him.
Jesus’ time on the cross also demonstrates God’s redeeming love. Jesus, through his sacrifice and death, provided redemption from sin and death. When we choose his salvation, we receive eternal life and a new beginning.
Jesus also revealed God’s loving compassion for the travesty that humanity had become. Part of God’s plan was to understand the depths of humanity’s despair, to connect to each type of temptation man endured, and to truly set an example for all men to follow. The suffering and pain of humanity is wrapped up in the travails Jesus endured, proving that he knows the pain of what it is to be human
Jesus, through the cross and his resurrection, loved with a powerful love that overcomes. Every sin, every temptation, every agonizing experience leading up to the crucifixion … Our Lord overcame the most brutal injustice and cruelty.
Through his sacrifice, Jesus set the example for agape love. In his death, he embodied a love that is unconditional, selfless, and sacrificial. He never told the disciples, “If you do this …” or “If you do that …” He loved Judas when he brought the Roman soldiers to the Garden; he loved Peter when he denied him three times; he loved the Roman soldier who pierced him in the side.
Jesus loved so unconditionally with agape love that even at the Last Supper, none of the other disciples suspected Judas, even though Jesus knew all along. That's the type of love we must endeavor to show to the people we interact with each day.
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