(The following is the May 1 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read John 19 and pay close attention to verses 25-27.)
Nail-pierced hands and feet bled, as did his head from the crown of thorns. His body was torn from the cruel lashes he endured before the crucifixion. Difficult breathing was briefly relieved if he pushed up with his feet, which intensified the searing pain from the nails. Yet, hanging on the cross, Jesus thought of those he loved. Mere humans would not have done so, but this compassion is characteristic of God’s Son, who temporarily put aside his existence in Heaven to live, die, and rise again for sinful humans. He endured ridicule, rejection, false accusations, attacks, and even crucifixion from those he came to save. Yet nothing kept him from fulfilling his purpose.
Jesus’ love was not only on a global scale for humankind but specific for individuals. Most people have a lasting bond with their mother, and Jesus demonstrated such love for Mary before giving up his spirit on the cross. John, the beloved disciple, recorded the tender moment when he and Mary stood near the cross: “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home” (vv. 26-27).
How selfless is one who thinks of others while being crucified? That requires pure, divine love. Paul wrote that love is not self-seeking (1 Cor. 13:5) and that “it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (1 Cor. 13:7-8).
The love Christ demonstrated on the cross is the selfless love he commands us to show others. We can only do so through the presence and power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Next Step:
Reflect on a time you experienced deep pain (physical, emotional, etc.). Did you focus on others much during that time? Praise God for a Savior who loved during his deepest pain. Pray to be more like him.
