He loved his own who were in the world, and he loved them to the end. (John 13:1)
Jesus died for one reason, without remainder. He died ‘for us.” For no other reason. He loves God and us, and died out of love. Think of the washing of the feet at the Last Supper. Jesus washes the feet of the disciples – the action of a slave - not for his benefit but as an act of service, indicating in this symbolic action the meaning of his life, death, and resurrection. Jesus receives no personal benefit from the cross. It is a gift for us. But we shouldn’t misunderstand this. Often, when people do something without receiving any personal benefit, they are less committed than they would be if they had. That’s not Jesus. His death on the cross is entirely for our benefit, and he is utterly committed to this path. If, in some fictional world, Jesus were suddenly offered a personal benefit to go to the cross, there would be no unused commitment, love or heart in Jesus to put into carrying the cross to qualify to receive the benefit. Jesus is 100% committed in love for us and love for God when he goes to the cross. Jesus goes to the cross willingly as an expression of his love for God and us. The cross is love in crucified flesh.
We see this time and again in the Gospels. His ministry is defined by love. Three in particular come to mind: love of God, love of neighbour, and love of enemies. He eats and drinks with outcasts (but anyone really), he forgives sins, heals the sick, raises the dead, brings freedom to the burdened. And at the Last Supper, Jesus says he is giving his blood to bring the New Covenant. (See Jeremiah 31:31-34) The New Covenant is for us. (Matthew 26:26-29)
And then on the cross, still giving his all for us, he says, “Father forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) And, finally, when his life is expired in love, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Jesus gives everything out of love, even to the point of death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-11)
And this is the beautiful thing about self-giving love. What is our response? To give our lives to Christ, to him who died for us. As St Paul says,
And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.” (2Corinthians 5:15)
And it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
