He Chose to Love Anyway

Our Lord spelt love for us with the letters p-a-i-n. Consider the following Bible passages:

Jesus said to His disciples, “You know that after two days… the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” [1]

He knew that something bad was going to happen to Him but chose to love anyway.

“The chief priests, scribes, and elders… plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.” [2]

They were the ones who were supposed to be providing spiritual care for His people. He chose to love anyway.

“When His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.’” [3]

His disciples questioned the generous offering of someone who deemed Him precious. He chose to love anyway.

“’What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’ They counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” [4]

Judas exchanged the life of Jesus for a small amount of money. He chose to love anyway.

“Now as they were eating, He said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’” [5]

Jesus knew that one of His dinner guests and “friends” was going to betray Him. He chose to love anyway.

“Take, eat; this is My body.” “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

The very meal He ate with them symbolized His death. He chose to love anyway.

“I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” [7]

He knew that His loved ones would betray Him. He chose to love anyway.

“He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.’” “Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping…” [8]

He experienced deep sorrow and distress. No one comforted Him. He chose to love anyway.

“A great multitude with swords and clubs came from the chief priests and elders...” [9]

They mischaracterized Him as a dangerous man whereas He had done nothing wrong. He chose to love anyway.

“Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him.” [10]

One of the few kisses that Jesus ever received while on earth was from a traitor. He chose to love anyway.

“Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” [11]

Abandoned! He chose to love anyway.

“The chief priests, elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death.” [12]

They could not accuse Him justly, so they accused Him falsely. He chose to love anyway.

“He has spoken blasphemy!” [13]

The One who loved and honored God His Father perfectly - accused of blaspheming Him. He chose to love anyway.

“Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands.” [14]

The abuse escalated from verbal to physical. He chose to love anyway.

“Then he began to curse and swear, saying, ‘I do not know the Man!’” [15]

Peter vehemently denied that He knew Jesus. He chose to love anyway.

The Good News is that Jesus forgave all who mistreated Him while hanging on the cross. The good news is that pain, sadness, betrayal, abandonment, and death did not keep Jesus down. He came back to life on the third day. He is now in heaven at the right hand of God. Amazingly, He still loves the human race. US! He intercedes for US! He chose to love anyway.

“Thank You Lord Jesus for Your great love for us!”

[1] Matthew 26:1-2
[2] Matthew 26:3-4
[3] Matthew 26:8-9
[4] Matthew 26:15-16
[5] Matthew 26:25
[6] Matthew 26:27-28
[7] Matthew 26:31