CURRENT THEME: New hope for 2013(Share your feedback with us atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or share your testimony at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

DAY 24: NEW HOPE. . . WITH THE GREATEST GIFT OF LOVE

By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Come back with me in time. It's Friday afternoon just before 15:00. On the hill of Calvary, fresh blood drips from the wounds of the man hanging on the cross in the middle. Hours before, a crown of thorns was pushed into his head before his body was mutilated beyond recognition. You want to scream andshout at the soldiers standing and mocking him underneath the cross. They are making a mistake. Do they not realize who this Man is? 

Suddenly darkness falls around you. A strong wind pulls at your clothes while the groundstarts to shake underneath your feet. "Eloi,Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?), the man on the cross cries. You run to the foot of the cross. You want to be close to Him. The Man on the cross’ head slowly moves to his chest. Your eyes meet for a moment. Yours filled withshock, disbelief and pain. His only with love.It lasts for a brief moment before he breathes out His last breath.

Tears stream down your face. One look was enough to make you realize that Jesus hung on the cross for you. He gave up his life for you. And if He could turn back time to the Garden of Gethsemane, He would choose to die in your place again! 

Jesus knew that we, as sinners, would never be able to enter God’s holy presence. For this reason He voluntarily gave up His life. Yet, I wonder, have you become so caught up in thecards, flowers or gifts of celebrating Valentine’s Day today that you have forgottenabout the greatest act of love of all time?

God desires a relationship with each of us.That is why He took the risk 2000 years agoto send His Son to earth. In John 3:16 we read: "God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him not perish but have everlasting life." And in Romans 8:38 - 39this love for us is confirmed: "I am convinced: neither death nor life, nor angels nor powers, nor present, nor future things or forces or height or depth or anything else in creation will separateus from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. "

God sent Jesus, knowing that He created us with a free will. We therefore can still choose to serve Him or reject Him. What is your choice? And when last have you thanked Him for sending His Son to die for you? God bless.

Father God, thank you for your love and redemptive plan through Jesus. Thank you Jesus, for having me in mind whenYou had to endure pain on the cross. Help me to lead a life that shows my gratitude for this sacrifice. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

** Benescke Janse van Rensburg is a radio DJ, freelance journalist and author of the books, Ontdek God in die stories vanmense, Wysheid-oordenkings uitSpreuke and Hoop in tye van nood-oordenkings uit Psalms. Visit website:www.benescke.co.za for more information