Daily Devotional for March 22

 

March 22                                                       John 12:27-36

     The Love That Draws Everyone

A story is told about a man who, during World War II, accepted
a dare from his buddies to enter a confessional and do all the
priest told him to do. If he was able to complete the penance
assigned by the priest, he would win a bet.

The priest, evidently having a wisdom from above, prescrib-
ed that the man approach the crucifix and say, "Jesus, you
did all this for me, and I don't give a damn."

The young soldier approached the crucifix and tried three
times to say the words. The third time, he was so overcome
by the realization of what Jesus had done for him that he broke
down and cried. Not only did he lose the bet, but he even-
tually entered the priesthood and became a cardinal in the
church.

Jesus said, "I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw
all people to myself." His crucifixion, while still a mystery
in its cosmic significance, remains the greatest act of love in
human history. It is the love that draws everyone.

The power of what Jesus did at the cross is demonstrated in
his later words to his disciples, "Greater love has no one than
this, that one lay down one's life for a friend." It is precisely
Jesus' laying down of his life that draws us to Christ today.
For the one who called even Judas "friend" at the time of his
betrayal, also called us "friend" while were yet at enmity with
God. This is the love that draws us to the cross with the
message, "Friend, I will always love you. Nothing you can ever
do or say will stop me from loving you. You are loved!"

      Oh, Jesus, my reaction to such love as you displayed
   at the cross is one of simple awe. I love you because you
           first loved me and gave yourself for me. Amen.

​

​

 

From The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C.198