Greater love hath no man

Greater love hath no man!
Hi, my name is Danny. And I was an active Latter-day Saint for 60 years.
I want to share with you a brief story I once heard, which is an illustration of the gospel message about a king.
Once upon a time in a far-off country there was an ancient king, who was known to be simultaneously the most just AND loving king who ever existed. One day, it was discovered that somebody had been stealing from the king’s treasury. Because the king was just, he issued a decree. He said that when it was discovered who was stealing from his treasury, a sentence of ten lashes in front of his entire kingdom would be given to the guilty person, as penalty for disobedience in breaking the law. But the theft continued and eventually he issued a final decree of – forty lashes that would be handed to the person, who was stealing from his treasury. Since no one could survive such punishment, in essence he was issuing their death sentence.
As weeks went by, it was eventually discovered that it was none other than the king’s own daughter who was stealing from his treasury. When that was revealed, a question began to ripple throughout the kingdom – how could the most loving king who ever existed – end the life of his own daughter? Some people thought he would simply pardon her, but then how could he be just? Some people thought he would punish her, but then how could he be a loving father? Eventually, the king examined the situation and declared that the law was clear – justice must but be served, and the sentence must be delivered upon the guilty party regardless of their status.
Thus, the king’s own daughter was brought in front of the entire kingdom. As they watched, she was laid over an executioner’s table and strapped to it. The executioner ripped open the back of her shirt and just as he lifted the whip to issue the first lash – the king stood up and said, “STOP!” Everyone was stunned and fell silent. The king then came down from his throne, walked forward, ripped the shirt off his own back, bent over covering his daughter, wrapping his body around hers on the table, then looked at the executioner and said, “now whip her!” The executioner objected. He pleaded, “I can’t hit her without harming you, Sir!” The king ordered, “do it!” Forty lashes of the whip fell over the back of the king – at the same time, entirely protecting the back of his daughter. The punishment was carried out and the king died, but the girl went free – completely un-harmed. Can you imagine how she must have felt knowing her father loved her so much he was willing to take the punishment for her and die in her place?
That my friends, was what the King of kings and Lord of lords, has done for you and me. Because God is just – sin had to be paid – for as it states in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death.” Which signifies that the natural consequence of sin is both physical and spiritual death. The verse goes on to say, “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Because God IS love, rather than have us suffer the wages of sin – He chose to make that payment Himself.
And that’s the great news of the gospel! As Yeshua hung on the cross, while pushing up on the nails in feet and hands, and choking on His own blood, the final words through His gasping breath were “it is finished” (John 19:30). He didn’t cry out, “I am finished.” His words were, “It is finished.” Meaning the atonement was finished and completed on our behalf. This statement was spoken by Jesus Christ on the cross, signifying the completion of His mission of redemption for all mankind. The Greek word behind “It is finished,” is “tetelestai,” meaning “paid in full” – thus indicating that the debt of our sin past, present, and future has been satisfied and paid in full.
As it states in 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just (Yeshua) for the unjust (us), that he might bring us to God.” Symbolically, He wrapped Himself around us and literally took the punishment we deserved. How much do we consider that Yeshua would have gone to the cross to suffer and die, if only for you? Did He have you on His mind and heart, when they nailed Him to the cross? Sobering thought, isn’t it? How much do we appreciate that? He loved us so much that He was willing to suffered for our sins, so that we wouldn’t have to. He is truly a loving Heavenly King.
Let me conclude by sharing the lyrics from a hymn I loved to sing as a Latter-day Saint. I think it appropriately expresses this great act of love. It was written by Charles H. Gabriel who lived from 1856 to 1932, titled:

I Stand All Amazed
(Here are the lyrics: three verses with chorus)
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died.
Oh, it is wonderful that He should care for me!
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I marvel that He would descend from His throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That He should extend His great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
Oh, it is wonderful that He should care for me!
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at His feet.
Oh, it is wonderful that He should care for me!
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
Thanks for watching!
God Bless!