There is a story about a forest that had been on fire. A few hours after the fire was fully extinguished, firefighters and other officials were walking through the charred area examining the damage and trying to figure out how the fire had begun. One of them came upon the body of a dead bird lying on the ground with its wings outstretched. The firefighter jostled the bird a bit with the tip of his boot, and from underneath the bird hobbled two little birds just barely old enough to walk. It became apparent that the mother bird had died protecting her babies. The mother bird overrode her instinct to fly away from danger, and chose instead to protect her young.

Like the mother bird, Jesus embraced death so we might live. Just as that mother bird endured the pain and agony of that forest fire for her babies, so Jesus took his wings and covered us, and shielded us, while He endured the beating, the mocking, the painful crucifixion until He had completely given his life on our behalf. Jesus did not choose death. Jesus did not choose suffering. Jesus chose love! In love Jesus embraced suffering and even death so we could have life.

Most of us will not be challenged to make the depth of sacrifice Jesus made for us. Each of us, can offer up our little crosses each day. We offer them up not to let someone mistreat us or get away with anything, but in love.