In a fictional conversation between God and Jesus, God decides to send someone to investigate the rowdiness taking place on the earth. In this fictional conversation, God suggests that Jesus take with him ten thousand angels as bodyguards. Instead, Jesus goes alone and spends a lifetime revealing his dedication to loving humanity, to not prioritizing himself but always putting those in need first.
He demonstrates one of his most profound declarations of love for humanity as he hangs on the cross. As his body bleeds and he gasps for air—the cross was about suffocation, an extremely painful death—he calls out in in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
In Romans 5:2, we read that:
“Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”
In the story of Lazarus, the timing of Lazarus’ death gives us an archetypal example of the death and resurrection that will soon take place in Jesus’ own life, yet the true emotion that flowed from Jesus when he heard of his friend’s condition reveals his true love and compassion for humanity.
Jesus took time from his ministry to look out for the hurting and needy among his contemporaries. We can read multiple stories of Jesus healing the sick, touching the eyes of the blind, washing the leper clean, and reaching out to the Centurion’s servant. Jesus’ time wasn’t about him but what people needed from him.
Jesus didn’t overlook injustice and prejudice. Take the example of the woman at the well, or the woman who was being stoned. He invited Zacchaeus to come out of the tree—a tax collector, someone despised by the Jews—and dine with him. He also decried the selling of sacrificial animals in the Temple and even overturned the tables of those buying and selling.
Jesus was especially attuned to those whose lives were impacted by evil spirits. The New Testament mentions as many as fifty-five times Jesus casts out evil spirits, although only five are described in detail. He casts out seven demons from Mary Magdalene, one from a man in the synagogue, and several from men near the tombs, where the demons even acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God.
His entire time on the earth, Jesus carried the the full authority of heaven. Even on the cross, he had the power to cast off his abusers. It was love that held him there, love for me and for you.
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