did not have to let this happen. He could have changed the course of history. He could have destroyed all those who were trying to destroy him.

Instead, his love for the Father was so great and his love for mankind was so strong that he chose the Cross so that mankind would have an opportunity to believe, to repent, to accept, and to spend eternity with him in the Father’s kingdom. The Father so loved the world that the Son was willing to give his life for the redemption and salvation of mankind.

People can know God’s love through each of us. Listen to this story from a missionary to China.
Story: “How They Knew God’s Love”

We tried to visit the lepers at least once a month, when they gathered out on the grass, and we went over what they had learned and sought to make clear the way of salvation by the use of Gospel posters.

Sometimes we asked them questions, to see if they really understood what they were learning. I remember once asking the question, “Just how do you know that the Lord Jesus loves you?”

They answered, “Because of you.” This truly touched our hearts and we praised God for the privilege of being His instruments to carry the glad tidings to such as these poor lepers. --China’s Millions



2. His custom was to worship and teach in the temple.

Luke recorded these words for us: “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up and as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read” (Luke 4:16).

Remember that Jesus was the perfect Son of God the Father. Although he was the Son of God, he did not think it was below him to go to the synagogue every week to worship.

Mankind, human-beings, you and I are not perfect at all and should be in church each week to praise God and give thanks for all he has done for us. All of us have made excuses for not attending God’s house of worship.

It looks like rain today so I think I will just relax at home.

When I got up this morning, I turned on the coffee pot and it wouldn’t work.

I have to have coffee so I will just stay home.

I forgot to get fuel in the car last night, so I better not take a chance of running out of gas on the way to church.

I turned on the shower and there was no hot water.

I am not going to church without a nice warm shower.

Last week in church, I sat beside this person who kept falling asleep so I am not going to church today.

There is going to be a substitute pastor preaching today and I sure don’t want to hear him.

The pastor’s message was boring last week so I am not going this week.

Last week after the service there weren’t any more doughnuts and coffee left for me, so I will just show them and not go today. Excuses go on and on.

Story: “Keep Out!”

I asked an elderly woman once, “If I go to church and the preacher says nothing worth hearing, is it any use for me to go?”

“Of course not,” she replied curtly.

But a young man overhearing our conversation intruded, “I don’t see why a man, when he goes to church to worship God, would let a preacher butt in on his worship!”


This is a good point. We don’t go to church to worship the pastor, but we do go to worship the Father.

Jesus never gave an excuse for not attending the synagogue. It was his practice or custom to be there every week.

3. Jesus made it a practice to forgive