Tough Love

One time a few years ago I was praying for a Muslim named Ron I met on the streets of NYC.  It was really cool because he actually asked my friend and I to pray for him.  It was one of the amazing times when the Holy Spirit began to take hold of my prayer, and something was uttered that I will never forget: Jesus did not forget Ron’s name on the cross.

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us,” -Augustine

I’m not sure if you might be struggling with God’s love for you, but know this: Jesus did not forget your name when He was on the cross.  YOU are the one He went to the cross for.

Sometimes when we hear, “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16) “world” sounds kind of impersonal in a way.  But this is as personal as it gets!  Jesus thought of you when He died on the cross.  Your name.  You are what He thought of that kept Him going.  The thought of saving you is what kept Him enduring.

The book of Hebrews says that Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before Him,” (Hebrews 12:2).  Jesus found joy in enduring the cross.  Joy!  Everything He did was for your sake, to save you.  Because He loves you.  And this gave Him joy!

 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” (Romans 5:8).

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” (Ephesians 2:4-5).

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me,” (Galatians 2:20, emphasis added).

“Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; abide in My love,” (John 15:9).

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you,” (John 15:13-14).

If you are having a hard time feeling, experiencing, or knowing God’s love for you, I hope you can take heart in these scriptures.  Jesus’ love for you is what kept Him on the cross, because He desired to save you and come to a loving relationship with Him.

If your relationship has been on the back burner lately because of whatever reason (laziness, embarrassment of sin, etc.), know that Jesus LOVES YOU!  Don’t be afraid to come to Him or tell Him how you feel.

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need,” (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus didn’t forget your name on the cross.