July 30, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.” (Matthew 27:42)

Wouldn't it have been much simpler if Jesus just came down from the cross and crushed all His executioners? Wouldn't that have easily made everyone believe in Him? Maybe. But He would have been known as just another escape artist like Houdini, or another "Great" like Alexander or Charlemagne (Charles the Great), and eventually faded into oblivion. And people would grovel to Him in fear of His violence rather than worship Him in awe of His mercy. Jesus' mission was to reveal who His, and our, Father is. While that deity is Almighty and All-powerful, His main attribute is love, and that's how He wants us to know Him. How did Jesus make that happen? By being His exact representation and dying for His enemies rather killing them. How can we also make God known? By following our Lord's example.