“Those who passed by were yelling insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!’.”
-Matthew 27:39-40

Could you imagine if Christ would have given into the people’s demands? Little did they know what they were asking and the miracle they were seeking to prevent. In just a few days Christ would accomplish the impossible, and make a way for us helpless sinners in need of the unmeasured grace that was about to be displayed through Christ’s sacrifice. Their request was a request for their own destruction. Christ was not there to save Himself, but us and what great Love held Him there!

I don’t spend enough time thinking and delighting in this Love. He was able to look past the insults, the mocking, the lies laced in every word spoken. A lot of times I cannot. This brings me back to the cross, to a Savior. Looking inward to oneself can be a very dangerous plight. As we look for encouragement, something noble or worthy within us, all we will find is the deadly anti-god: pride. We have nothing to offer that is good. This is the point!

Scripture says the “greatness of God is unsearchable”(Psalm 145:3). His goodness is bountiful and overflowing, so much so that it graces even those who oppose His glory. If we look inward to ourselves, we will be discouraged, friends. There is nothing pleasing within us, we cannot produce the righteousness of God. Rather, apart from God’s Spirit we cry out foolishly as the Jews did, ‘If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!’

Jesus’ love for His Father and for us drove Him to the cross. He tasted the love of God in His humanness so deeply, nothing could stand in opposition. It is only Christ’s Love that can drive us to do the same. Look elsewhere and you will be sorely disappointed. Today, do all you can to find nourishment not in yourself, neither in the comforts or pleasures of this world, but feed on the choice food heaven offers.

Are you lonely today? Perhaps you find yourself completely misunderstood. I would ask, has your soul been fed rightly? If not, this is the highest task you could set out to accomplish. I will say it now, and will most likely have to say again in an hour or so; Look to Jesus, find your replenishment where it can only be found, sister. Your soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and your lips will praise the Lord joyfully (Psalm 63:5)!

Here is the thing, most of us know this. Yet, is your knowledge of Christ’s sufficient love producing fruit, or only sitting pretty in your mind? If so, it has not gripped your heart. The remedy is not in ourselves. “You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence” (Isaiah 30:15).

Let us push away anything that does not taste of God’s love. Direct all of your heart towards Calvary’s sacrifice! His wounds are our healing. His brokenness is our mending. His confinement on the cross was our freedom. His Love is our salvation, eternally.

“Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Far surpassing all the rest
It’s an ocean full of blessing
In the midst of every test
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Mighty Savior, precious Friend
You will bring us home to glory
Where Your love will never end”