Monday meditation. Resurrection Sunday edition. Here’s the thing. Jesus loved Judas. Judas betrayed Him. Didn’t change the Love. Jesus loved Peter. Peter forsook Him when it seemed He needed him most and betrayed Him on a separate level. Didn’t change the Love. Jesus loved Pilate. Pilate had no clue Who He really was per-say yet still judged Him to a death sentence. Didn’t change the Love. Jesus loved the evil religious leaders. They falsely accused Him under oath. They wanted Him dead. Didn’t change the Love. Jesus loved the clueless crowd being manipulated by corrupt religious leaders. They screamed out crucify Him, give us Barabbas. Didn’t change the Love. Saul/Paul hated the thought of Him and only wanted to kill Christians. Didn’t change the Love. Jesus was brutally murdered and paid the penalty for every sin and/or crime that has ever or will ever, have been committed, by any of the ones I just mentioned, including you and I. Didn’t change the Love. That Love led Him to the whipping post. That Love led Him to the cross. That Love led Him to the grave. That Love resurrected Him. He rose from the dead. That Love is indescribable. Unfathomable. Beyond human belief. Crazy Love. Yet still. That Love. I’ve been that Judas, haven’t you? I’ve been that Peter, that Pilate, that crowd, that despicable leader, that Saul. Haven’t you? Yet. That Love still drew me. That Love still changed me and is still changing me. That Love still holds me. Even when my desire is to run. That Love. Even when I don’t feel It. That Love. Even when I fight It. That Love. I don’t remember where I first heard the following but it has always rang true. (I’m gonna attribute it to Steve Oates whether he said it or not just because) His desire to hold me is greater than my desire to run. . His Love is more powerful than my rebellion. Resurrected Love forgives. Makes new. Makes whole. Resurrected Love overcomes any human obstacle. Tonight I’m grateful for Resurrection Love. Without that there is no gospel.