The invitation to live under the power of the cross is an underrated privilege. Because Jesus willingly endured nakedness, we get to live fully covered by grace. Because he accepted brutal torture, we have access to perfect healing. Because he suffered condemnation and rejection, we are chosen, accepted and loved. He shouldered an underserved pain so that we may be spared from one we deserved. A perfect lamb was sacrificed for the salvation of blemished ones. If this isn’t Love, what is? We have made love boastful and ornamental. But his love was humble, meek and real. His love imposed no conditions nor prerequisites. On this day of grace, let us remember that because of what Love did on that cross, we not only get to be loved by Jesus but also love as Jesus. Let us ask him to show us the lies we have been believing about his love, repent for overcomplicating and distorting it, and relearn the ways of his love. May we then share the message of salvation we inherited through the cross with those we encounter.

Prayer: Abba Father, teach me the ways of your love. Amen.