Maybe it's a symptom of age. Maybe the experiences of accumulated years have magnified sensitivity. Maybe as the forces of nature rub and buffet, erosion of will and determination has taken its toll.

Regardless of how or why, I find myself much more aware of what it means. I understand the incredible super-human effort it must have taken to stay there. I contemplate the morbidity of enduring until death for the cause. What I cannot understand is why was it done for me? Why, before the world was created, did God Almighty formulate a plan where His Son would die and by doing so, make me worthy to live with the Father forever?

I don't comprehend, but I thankfully accept and it's personal:

For God so loved Bill Brant that He gave His only begotten Son,

so that Bill would believe on Him and have everlasting life (John 3:16 personalized).

With that too, comes realization. It ambushes me at unsuspected moments like when at my fellowship the lyrics from a song float through the auditorium:

Behold the man upon the cross

My guilt upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

It was my sin that held Him there
………………

I can't explain the tears. I'm old school and old schoolers don't cry. But it's personal now.

People talk theology. Jesus lived His life and then gave it up to each of us. He didn't talk. He did. He died so you could be with Him and God forever. It's personal for Him and for you.

It's personal now; let's talk. Email me at bbrant@heraldoftruth.org or visit HopeforLife.org and hear the stories of others for whom it's personal.

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