But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 (NIV)
I hope that everyone who is reading this has seen The Passion of the Christ movie. My son, James, bought that DVD near the end of his life so I actually have it in my movie library. As I watched the movie in the theatre the first time (with my box of Kleenex) I was pierced through the heart with the knowledge, even as a glimpse, of how much God loves me. I said to my husband that night, “I do not need to see that movie again. Once was enough.†I was right and wrong. I have not watched the movie again. I have needed to recall some vivid scenes. I have needed to remember how much God loves me. I am bought near by the blood of the Messiah.
The atonement – the reconciliation – of God to His children was not achieved by some clean, sterile, and emotionless ritual. The atonement was messy by physical standards. I was emotional – filled with emotion even! It was about LOVE – extravagant, no-holding-back LOVE!!! It was the Messiah, the Savior, giving all that He had physically and emotionally to rescue and restore the one of His heart!
Here is one of those God Mysteries I cannot comprehend: Jesus died – was the atoning sacrifice of all mankind. He did it once for all. BUT – Jesus also went to the cross, took the lashes, carried the cross and then laid down on it, was nailed to it, hung there, gave His last drop of blood with His eyes … on me. God-in-the-flesh, Jesus, sees the all – and sees me. The Passion of the Christ, Jesus’ love for ___________________. (Go ahead. Put your name there. It is the truth.)
