When I Survey His Love for Me....

This is the time of year when we as followers of Jesus Christ reflect on what occurred many years ago when He willingly gave up His life on the cross for us at Calvary.  Sometimes it is difficult to comprehend all that happened back then, to understand why He would make that sacrifice for us.  In Romans 5:6-8, its says, "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die -- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."   That is the amazing part -- that while I was still weak, when I was still a sinner, when I was such an ungodly person...Jesus died for me.  

Even though I sometimes feel unworthy, He never perceives me as worthless.  Unworthiness is vastly different than the concept of worthlessness.  It's an attitude of the heart.  If I see myself as being worthless, then it would be extremely difficult to imagine why Jesus would have ever wasted his time, much less his life -- for me.  BUT, when I see myself as being unworthy and undeserving of what He did on that cross for me and others, then it causes my heart to become quiet and reflective, humble and meek as I meditate on how much He loves me!

I love the words to the song "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" by Isaac Watts.  They are hauntingly beautiful and so richly convey the concept of Christ's love and how we should respond to all He did for us.

1. When I survey the wondrous cross
   On which the Prince of glory died,
   My richest gain I count but loss,
   And pour contempt on all my pride.
2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
   Save in the death of Christ my God!
   All the vain things that charm me most,
   I sacrifice them to His blood.
3. See from His head, His hands, His feet,
   Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
   Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
   Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
   That were a present far too small;
   Love so amazing, so divine,
   Demands my soul, my life, my all.
5. When I survey His love for me -- it cultivates such a spirit of awe and gratitude within my soul.  I think of the implications of this miracle -- that the God of the universe would give up His son for me, that He considers me worth dying for and that He desires to have an intimate relationship with me!  It literally makes me want to reach out and hug His neck and say, "thank you Father....for such a special gift, even when I feel so undeserving of everything You've done for me." 
6.  I thought of the verse in Luke 19:41-42, where Jesus looked out over the world, particularly at the city of Jerusalem, and He wept over all the people who would never know Him, 
7. 
   
" And when He (Jesus) drew near and saw the city, He wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes."

1. It made me "happy sad" - that Jesus would look over the valley of time and see all of us who would become His followers one day even though He knew what was about to happen, how difficult it would be, the beatings, the torture, the pain.  He would quietly reflect on the rejection he was about to experience, the hurt, and even the betrayal of those around him -- and yet, He would still choose to go forward to make that sacrifice for us.  Every time I think of these things, my own heart becomes filled with sadness, but also with unfathomable gratitude that He would do this for me.
2. It's interesting -- lately it seems that every time I hear or sing various worship songs, either in my car while driving or at church -- my heart melts with an indescribable joy, and my eyes become filled with tears as I ponder the depths of His love for me -- that He does love me so-o-o-o much - more than any human on this earth ever could. One of my favorite songs is "One Thing Remains" by Kristian Stanfill where it says, "Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me..." It's such an awesome portrayal of the Lord's love, and it refreshes my soul every time I hear it.  Here's the video of that song.  It's simply priceless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYCJ8EvkGCs

Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice.  Please help me to reflect your love to others whom you bring into my life and that they will see Jesus in me and experience Your love for them.  Amen.