Proof of Love

Please read Mark 15:16-39.
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My college roommate kept telling me, "He is totally in love with you!", referring to Dave, when we were first dating. If I'd had to rely on my roommate's words reassuring me of Dave's love, I may have been less than convinced. Dave had to do that himself. I must say, his efforts were quite impressive. Once, he arranged for a row boat complete with a splendid picnic lunch hidden in a basket at the other end of a pond. Before I accept the reality of something to be true, I'll admit, I like to have proof of the sincerity and the validity of the person saying it. People go to unbelievable lengths to demonstrate their love for another. It is how we are wired, emotionally. God, in His infinite wisdom and understanding of how we think, knew this. He knew we may have a hard time wrapping our hearts around mere words. "God loves you."

If you read a review calling a movie a "profoundly beautiful love story", would you immediately think of 'The Passion of the Christ' by Mel Gibson? Honestly, I find the details of Christ's suffering to be very troubling and difficult to take in. But every excruciating detail of Christ's harrowing trial, beatings, and crucifixion is layered with graphic details of how far He was willing to go, how much He was willing to endure to demonstrate, to prove, His love for us. What is truly incredible and humbling in this love story is what God requires of me. He needed no proof of my love for HIm. in fact, the opposite is evident. He had plenty of proof that I was against Him, a sinner. "But God demonstrated (proved) His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". Romans 5:8

When I take communion this Sunday, I take the cup, symbolizing Christ's blood, flowing from tortured flesh. "Remember", He says, "Remember that I love you."
I take the bread, symbolizing Christ's battered, broken body. "Remember", He says, "Remember I love you and I'd endure anything to prove it to you".

When I looked at the cross, I turned away.
My stomach twisted in nausea.
I did not want to look at this display of blood, torn flesh and ugliness,
"Spit", "naked", "scourged" - these words are disturbing
So I turn away.

He looked into my soul.
The stench of sin scratches at His pure nostrils,
The sewage that is coveting and lust.
There His holy eyes saw the festering, open sores of pride and selfishness.
Sin, formed a greasy layer over my soul.
He did not turn away.
"I love you", He said.

Shannon Wittenberg