Giving up Light for Darkness

Imagine being in heaven. You are surrounded by the comforting warmth of God's glory. Standing in the loving presence of the Father, you have witnessed the awesome formation of the world. You have seen and heard the thunderous roar of angels as they worship God almighty. God the Father stands by your side as a loving father. There is no pain, no sin, no struggles. The light of God's glory provides eternal sunshine as far as the eye can see. You are as close to God the Father as anything can possibly be.

"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Imagine coming to earth. A place of darkness. Cold, cruel and full of sin. Imagine coming down and giving abundant love to the people you call your own. Offering your unconditional love to mothers, fathers, children, and those you call friends. I knew you before you were born. I formed you in your mother's womb. Imagine coming down with love, but only receiving rejection and hatred. Bringing light to the world, but the world rejecting you. Offering eternal life to those that you love, but instead of acceptance, they flog you and nail you to a tree. They spit on you, curse you, and mock you as you hang shamefully on a cross. All you brought was love, but they killed you as a fool.

"9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. "

This, my friends, is what Jesus did for us. This is the extent of his love. Leaving the very presence of God the Father and coming to a cold, dark place. He knew that he was going to get rejected by those he called his own, killed, and given on to the full wrath of God's justice. Who in there right minds would do that? Only a loving God. This is the love of Christ, that one should forfeit everything for the sake of those they love. We, those that Christ loved, killed our beloved savior on that cross. Our hatred and pride were the nails that pierced the hands and feet of our beloved Lord. We are guilty, but God paid the price.