A Nourishing Life

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

There are some who would dispute me, but I do not believe animals are capable of love. I believe that they can interpret affection, and I believe they can conjure a sense of loyalty, but I do not believe that they can experience love. Love is so deep, so intricate, so impenetrable and indecipherable by human minds, that I cannot believe that a base creature like an animal can love.

However, there is much I can learn as the clock ticks toward the end of the life of one of our animals headed to the butcher. It is clear that they do not understand mortality; and because of this, they experience no fear or anxiety leading up to their "D-Day". As I prepare to load the cow up the ramp into the truck headed for the slaughterhouse, I ponder what it means to die for the sake of another. My cow is dying for the sake of nourishing me, though he doesn't know it. How much more valuable is it if a person can truly count the cost and willingly lay down his life for someone else and for their benefit?

Jesus is my supreme example of selflessness. He tried to foreshadow to his disciples what it meant that he was about to do for them by dying. At the Last Supper, he claimed that his body would be broken for them and his blood be spilled for them. He then encouraged them to eat his body and drink his blood. They were likely used to Jesus befuddling them, so they probably just went along with what he was saying without fully comprehending what he was communicating.

Jesus's body was broken to nourish us. When we partake of his flesh, we join in his fellowship of suffering. We experience his love inside of us and it compels us to share it with a lost and dying world, just as he did. Jesus is true manna--the Bread of Life-- broken in that fellowship, shared with us so that we may grow spiritually as the Body of Christ. This is a great mystery for those who have never known Jesus or shared in His fellowship of suffering. Truly, it is still rather a mystery even to me; but I have tasted and seen how good Jesus is. His life was a sacrifice for me, and now (out of love) my life is returned to him.

Jesus's blood was spilled for us. Life was not so precious to him that he was willing we should be separated from the Father for eternity. Brothers and sisters-- his sweet blood was spilled...and I know it hurt coming out. Drink up. His life is now your life. It's all for you. His blood runs down and spells out our names. In Genesis, Abel's innocent blood cried out from the ground; it cried for justice. How much more did the innocent Lamb of God's blood cry out? "Father," it said, "Forgive them, for they know not what they're doing." The most perfect and beautiful justice came into being when we were justified before a Holy God because of what Jesus did.

"Mercy, Mercy," screams my blood,
Poured out on the Mercy Seat.
Mercy, Mercy on all mankind--
I was one of them.

Sickness and heartache dwell
In their withering flesh.
Mercy, Mercy on all mankind--
I was one of them.

Hear me pleading, hear me groan--
Let them not be punished.
"Mercy, Mercy," screams my blood--
I was one of them.

These scars are speaking for my brothers
Still bound up in their skins.
Mercy, Mercy on all mankind;
I was one of them.

From me poured the payment
For their wickedness.
"Mercy, Mercy," screams my blood--
I was one of them.

Father, you are holy and just--
Look upon the blood I shed.
Mercy, Mercy on all mankind--
I was one of them.

For all time, the penalty of our sin was paid. We now have the privilege to die daily by walking in the footsteps of the Messiah. We can choose to make our life a nourishing one for those who will follow after us. Do we love others enough to forsake our preferences and rights? Can we count the cost...and still make the right decision? There is mercy enough to cover our mistakes--now let us make our lives a fragrant and beautiful sacrifice. May my very life-blood spell out the names of those I love; and may everyone's names-- from my friends to my enemies-- be found written upon my heart.