From the very beginning, Jesus was putting it on the line. First He is place in the womb of a young girl in Nazareth, from a rather poor family. Then the son of God was born to the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold in a stable.
Then the Angels tell the shepherds that a child is born in the town of David, who is the Savior of the world.
These were some of the lowest, probably the poorest, but the Angels came to them to tell the Good News.They went to see and worship the Infant Jesus.
Then the wise men come from the east to the stable, where Jesus is laying in a manger. The very rich men from the east had no problem recognizing The Messiah bringing Him gifts.
Even Simeon recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, as He is presented in the temple to God the Father.
Now Joseph has to quickly take the family to Egypt, for the safety of both mother and child.
In the first six weeks of His life so many people recognized Him as the Son of God the Father.
When Jesus was 12, He was in the temple astonishing the teachers and everyone with His answers and understanding. A prelude to His public life, where He astonishes many.
Then He makes His public appearance by being baptized by John in the Jordan River. And even with John telling them who He is… His Father telling them who He is, they fail to comprehend who He is.
After spending 40 days in the desert, He appears in Cana at a wedding feast with His Apostles, where He turns water into wine.
Now He becomes an itinerant preacher, spreading the good news, driving out demons and healing the sick, lame, blind and more… Almost from the beginning the ruling class took offense to Him. He is breaking rules they have imposed and hanging out with sinners and tax collectors. And worst of all they know where He came from.
According to them, He can’t be the Messiah and if He says so He is blaspheming. But too many people are following Him and that is very up setting to those in charge.
All that He does is done in Love. So far He has spent most of His time in the small towns, only venturing now and then into Jerusalem. So at the Last Supper, where He Ordains the Apostles as priests and institutes The Eucharist, giving the Apostles His body and blood.
And now the ultimate bestowing His love on us. The Agony in the Garden, where He saw all our sins. The sins of all mankind, from Adam and Eve to the end of the world. Because of that He told Saint Faustina, that The Agony in the Garden was worse than the Crucifixion.
Now comes the Scourging at the Pillar, Crowing With Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross and the Crucifixion. Looking at the Crucifix should really give us pause as we meditate on the Love of Jesus and His Father. Remember and never forget, He did this out of love for us, to bring us forgiveness of sins, grace, hope, forever love, eternal life, to open The Gates of Heaven. Envision all this as you look at Crucifix.