All this I have done for you-do you love Me?

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

"Do you love Me?" John 21:17

Does not Jesus in thus appealing to me, in effect say:

"For you, I left the realms of glory, and the adoration of ten thousand times ten thousand holy ones!

  For you, I became incarnate, took on the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

    For you, I obeyed the law, and wrought a perfect righteousness for your justification.

      For you, I endured the cross, and despised the shame.

        For you, I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to those who plucked off the hair.

          For you, I endured the crown of thorns, and gave My hands and My feet to be nailed to the tree.

             For you, I shed My blood, and laid down My life!

           I loved you with a love of pity and compassion-when you were dead in trespasses and sins!

        I opened your eyes, revealed to you your sinfulness and guilt, and awakened your cry for mercy.

      I sought you in your wanderings-and found you!

   I brought you up out of the horrible pit, and miry clay-and set your feet upon the rock.

 I have loved you with an everlasting love-and therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you!

 All this I have done for you-do you love Me?"

"We love Him, because He first loved us!" 1 John 4:19