"When He saw the crowds, He felt sorry for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)

It is a gorgeous day today. The azure blue sky is completely void of clouds. As I look out my study window this morning at that beautiful expanse, I can’t comprehend it. I honestly cannot. Why did Jesus die on a horrible cross? Oh, I know, I know…I have heard and repeated all the official answers. “To gratify the old law.” “To fulfill prophecy.” “To take our sins upon Himself.” And these answers are right. They truly are.

Even in the dim light of the Bethlehem stable, Jesus was born in the shadow of the cross. Whenever He became conscious of who He was, He also became conscious of what He had to do. This explains the glint of determination on His face as He turned to go to Jerusalem for the last time. This explains the resoluteness in His words, ‘The reason my Father loves Me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of my own accord.’ (John 10:17-18)

Jesus also saw beautiful blue skies and felt the gentle breeze, just like I am doing this morning. And life was often peace-filled for Him, just like it is today, after the wild storm that passed through earlier this week. So there had to be something much deeper that motivated Jesus’ decision to follow through with His calculated death. Something very compassionate. Something yearning. Something personal. It is the very thing that explains the true nature of God – God, who is often so difficult to understand.

Could it be that Jesus’ heart was broken for all the people – including you, including me - who cast our despairing eyes toward the heavens and cry the same “Why?” about the tragedies and pain in our lives? Could it be that His heart was broken for the hurting?

I imagine Him, bending close to those who hurt. I imagine Him listening carefully to every word. I picture His eyes filling and a pierced hand brushing away a falling tear as He hears our pain. And then, I realize that I do comprehend after all.

He who often felt alone, understands us completely.
Today, may you comprehend, as you experience whatever it brings, that God sent Jesus, His Son, to demonstrate to you His unchanging eternal nature and His unfathomable love for you.