this is how we know

who else would do such a thing
leave his palace and perfect place
in exchange for a broken world, broken people

who else would do such a thing
touch a leper, teach women, dine with tax collectors,
endure whips and piercings and beatings and the agony of rejection

this is how we know
this is what our heart soul mind strength believe

Jesus Christ
laid down his life for us

for whom? for us
liars, thieves, cheaters, gossipers, hypocrites
marred by the first rebellion

and yet
Christ died
for us

but why?

and yet Christ died for us

who else could do such a thing
walk on water, feed 5000, raise Lazarus from the dead
raise new life from the grave
rise from the tomb
conquer death

who else could have the power
to transform liars, thieves, cheaters, gossipers, hypocrites,
to clothe them with new life.

who else but Jesus could love us
unconditionally

this is how we know
what love is:
Jesus Christ
laid down his life for us.

 ~inspired by 1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."