The Greatest Passion

The Greatest Passion	Next Chapter: The Joy of Anticipation
During Lent (the six weeks leading up to Easter) we often speak of the "Passion", referring to the crucifixion of Jesus. However, as a father watching three children (and now 10 grandchildren) grow up, I have come to realize that maybe the greatest passion of all was not the passion of Christ dying on the cross. The greatest passion was the passion of the Father — the Father who gave his only son to be crucified on a cross for my sins and for your sins. Why did God the Father give His only Son? I cannot imagine a love in which I would send my own child to die for someone else. I can hardly begin to understand such depth of unconditional love. The only answer that makes any sense to me is that God deeply and passionately loves me, you and every one of us.
"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (Romans 5:8 NLT) "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NLT)
Father God, such love as yours is too much for me, a sinner, to comprehend. I stand in awe within your love and say that I am not worthy of such love. I confess that I have not loved you with my whole heart or my neighbors as myself. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Amen.
Questions for consideration... If my child died saving the life of a neighbor how would I feel? Would I feel the same way if my child died fighting in a war to help people I don't know? What is the difference? Can I even imagine a situation where I would send my child to die for someone I have never met?