As I was driving up to the cities over the weekend, I saw a bird pecking at the remains of a deer on the side of the road. The carcass was nearly clean, mostly skeleton by that point, but the bird was picking off the remaining bits of meat that were still clinging to the bones. It was, no doubt, a satisfying meal to the bird, part of the natural order of life. That deer had to die for the bird to live, and I don't imagine the bird gave much thought to what the deer had to give up in order for it to have that meal.
That scene made me think about how harsh life has always been. In Old Testament times, people lived brief lives filled with adversity. There were many rules in place to keep people in line, and those who did not follow the strict limitations were quickly cast out. Being unique was not interesting or eccentric, it was deadly. Nation states were constantly battling for power and supremacy, and the losers were harshly dispatched without another thought.
How revolutionary the loving message of Jesus must have been to a world steeped in violence and struggle. Jesus turned the dynamic of the existing culture upside down. Instead of upholding the status quo of strict regulation, he embraced those who were different or outside the norm, unacceptable in regular society. It is easy, in the context, to understand the consternation he must have caused to the ruling elite of the time.
Jesus preached a message of individual love. He looked at each person's inner soul, instead of their outward manifestation, and he saw the deep seated need to be loved, protected and served. Jesus moved the focus from the rules to the people. He healed on the Sabbath. He preached a gospel of grace. He fed the thousands, healed the lepers, gave the blind their sight, and brought those living in darkness back into the light.
His ultimate gift of love was the sacrifice of the cross, where he gave up his life in order that we might live with him for all eternity. It was not without pain and anguish that he gave his life. It was a struggle, one he would rather have passed up. But he persevered, not because we deserved it, but because he was fulfilling the will of God. Without his sacrifice, we would not have life.
How often do we float through life, not thinking, not caring, about what was sacrificed for us? And how often do we fail to follow the commandment of Jesus to love one another as he has loved us?
Jesus did not condone bad decisions. He looked past the mistakes, the bad judgements, the poor life choices, and embraced the underlying human being in need. He uplifted and cared for those who were so down and out they couldn't even care for themselves any longer. Jesus came, not for those who have everything, but for those who have nothing at all without him.
Today I am grateful for the One who brought a message of love to a world of hate. His life provides a pathway for me to follow. As imperfectly as I live, I can alway aspire to do better in recognition of God's call to me to live and love as he did.
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