Out of Love

Isaiah 53:2-12   For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 

Why would God send His Son to die for us?   Out of Love.
Why was it God's plan to redeem us from our bondage to sin?   Out of Love.
Why was it God's will to crush Him and put Him to grief?  Out of Love
Why was Jesus willing to do this for us?  Out of Love


As you and I approach Easter, think on the cross...high and lifted up before all to be mocked and ridiculed. Embrace what went on there.  I see sin die on my behalf...because of love.  Love is a very powerful motive to live for Jesus.  1 John 4:19  We love because He first loved us.