Every man or woman that lives changes this world, for good or for ill, by the life that they live. Every one of us touches others in an infinite number of ways. Each decision we make has implications we can not fully comprehend. Jesus Christ was born into a poor carpenter's family. He had a family that loved him, and they taught him about love.
What will remain after your time on Earth is done and you have shuffled off that mortal coil? Will you leave things better than you found them? Christ did. He loved us so much that he allowed himself to be tortured, mocked, and killed on a cross between two criminals, though he never committed a crime. Our Redeemer loved us as the crown of thorns was driven through his scalp, possibily penetrating more than a 1/4 inch into his brain. He loved us as metal split bone as his hands and feet were nailed to the cross.
He even even loved the soldiers who were executing him. That, my friends, is an example of the kind of love we are to emulate. We are Christians, which literally means "Christ Follower". Our Delieverer could have called down legions of warrior angels, he could have called down fire from Heaven, or he could have opened the earth and had it swallow his torturers.
There was one reason, and one reason only, why he did not. That reason was you! He loved you enough to endure the inhumane treatment, knowing it was the only way you could spend eternity in Paradise with him and the Father. He loved you enough to ransom his life for yours. For he knew that his death was the only key to open the gates of Heaven to sinners such as us.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians: "And now these three remain; Faith, Hope, and Love. And the greatest of these is Love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
Copyright 2007 Timothy E. Davis