“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Oh soul of mine, how you beg no deeper query: Why then for me Jesus?
Born dead to sin, an enemy of the cross, a shattered potter’s vessel. A doubter, a scoffer, a hypocrite. “Would you choose scorn and shame?” “Would you sacrifice heavenly exultation for earthly mockery?” “Would you call me friend?”
The depth of my need for a savior grows within. Sin’s fatal cut is unhealed. “What could wash away my sin?” Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
“Lord Jesus, you have borne the shame of the world, putting to death my sin on a lowly, rugged cross. You call me your friend, yet die for me while I am still bound by sin. Then greater love is there none other than through Christ, who died for His enemy.” Amen.
Oh, to know this One who bears my shame. “Who is this one who gives His own life for me?”
Yet this one thing I know. “God is love.” And again I say, “God is love.”
So take heart soul of mine. And here the words of your Savior. “You have ravished my heart, My sister, My bride, with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck.”
May the cross be true, may His joy be complete. May I know the heart of this ravished Man. May I know this love which sent Him to the cross.
I close this homily with gratitude for the work of Calvary, it is truly finished.
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