The Nails Didn’t Hold Jesus to the Cross—Love Did

Love is often thought of as a feeling—a rush of emotions, butterflies in the stomach, or the warmth of connection. But the truth is, love is so much more than fleeting feelings. Love is a choice, a commitment, a decision to stand firm even when emotions waver. Nowhere is this truth more profoundly demonstrated than in the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The nails didn’t hold Jesus to the cross—love did.

God’s Love in Action
Scripture reveals over and over again the depth of God’s love for us. It was love that brought Jesus into the world, and it was love that kept Him on the cross, enduring unimaginable suffering for our sake.

•John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The cross was not an accident or a cruel twist of fate; it was a deliberate choice made out of love for humanity. Jesus endured suffering so that we might have life.

•Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus didn’t wait for us to be perfect or deserving; His love came first. It was proactive, sacrificial, and unconditional.

•Think about Isaiah’s prophetic words in Isaiah 53:5: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” The physical pain of the cross was overwhelming, but Jesus endured it all for the joy of saving us.

Love That Endures Beyond Feelings
Feelings are temporary. They can rise and fall with the circumstances of life. But love—true, God-honoring love—is steadfast and unchanging. Jesus exemplified this when He chose to endure the cross, even though it would bring suffering.

When the soldiers mocked Him, when the crowds jeered, when the nails pierced His hands and feet, Jesus could have called legions of angels to rescue Him (Matthew 26:53). But He didn’t. Why? Because He had already made the choice to love us, and His commitment to love outweighed the suffering.

Love That Never Leaves
Love is not just about the good times. It’s about sticking around when things get hard. Jesus’ love for us is the ultimate example of this. He promised in Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” He lived that promise on the cross, refusing to abandon us even when it meant enduring unimaginable pain.

When we look at Jesus’ sacrifice, we’re reminded of what love really means. It’s not about self-gratification or convenience. It’s about selflessness and sacrifice. 1 John 4:10 sums it up beautifully: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Choosing Love in Our Lives
If Jesus could choose to love us so sacrificially, how can we not choose to love one another? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes the kind of love we are called to: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

This love isn’t always easy. It requires humility, forgiveness, and a willingness to put others before ourselves. But when we choose to love like Christ, we reflect His glory and bring light to a dark world.

Love Worth Repeating 
The cross is a powerful reminder of what love looks like. It’s not about feelings or fleeting emotions. It’s about commitment, sacrifice, and a choice to put others first. Jesus didn’t stay on the cross because the nails held Him there. He stayed because His love for us!.

As we reflect on His love, we should choose to love like He loved. We should choose to forgive, to serve, and to sacrifice, not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it. And remember ...... John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

In every moment, let us live out the truth that love is worth repeating.