Based on many texts, but most especially 1 John 4:10.
As self-made enemies of God, we all face the shattering power of God’s War of Love. However—from the overflow of that same love—God sent forth His own Beloved, His Image, His Word, His SON: Jesus Christ.
In every way like one of the rebels (except without rebellion), the Beloved One—who is God—stands in the place of the damned race of which He has become a part, bearing the totality of their “bentness” and all of its effects (sin, sorrow, suffering, death) in Himself.
On the cross, the outstretched arms of Love Incarnate embrace and exhaust the damning fury of Love at War for the sake of the rebel race. And as Love, in love, is slain by Love so that the enemies in exile might be loved ones gathered home—we see and know our God.
Yes, at the cross of Christ, the internal beauty of the Triune God—which the universe exists in order to communicate—the beauty which has eternally been the life and joy of Father, Son, and Spirit, is manifest with consummate clarity within the sphere of Creation. For all of eternity, Calvary is YHWH’s definitive “I Am.”
For those given eyes to see and hearts to receive this redemptive revelation, it is a word of life…but for those who refuse the Name declared on Calvary, it will be a word of death. May it not be so for any reading these words today!
