Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.
As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
1 Peter 4:1-2
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God doesn’t just love us. God suffered so that He could be with us.
These are different things.
Consider the weight of the truth for just a moment that God, the Creator of the Universe, would choose to suffer for you.
It is one thing to say you love somebody.
“God loves you,” is as common a spiritual refrain as we hear in the world today. We make bumper stickers and squeeze balls and coffee mugs with the phrasing.
And it is, of course, entirely true.
But God’s love for us goes beyond mere words and smiley faces on stickers.
He didn’t just say it. He doesn’t just “love” as we routinely throw around the word.
God took an even greater step.
He suffered so that He could be with us!
This is how great and passionate His love is for each of us.
He physically suffered—even to the point of physical disfigurement. “Marred beyond human likeness” is the description of the physical torture He endured. He suffered emotionally as his friends turned from Him in his greatest moment of despair. And He took upon himself the sins of the world—so much that even His Father in heaven deserted him.
This is how great the love of God is for each of us.
He suffered—for you and for me.
His desire to be with us was so great, He willingly placed Himself in the path of pain.
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Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and sacrifice. Thank you for loving us enough to send your Son—and thank you Jesus for enduring the pain of the cross for our sake. May we choose to live each day not by human desires, but for your sake. Amen.