Jesus experienced the loneliness of rejection and betrayal by those he came to serve. Suffered when he was tortured, mocked, and nailed upon a cross. And died as difficult a death as a human being can suffer. Yet something took place on that cross that could not occur any other way. Jesus stretched out his arms to embrace the world – including you – in unconditional love. Jesus unleashed sacrificial love that saved humanity – including you – from sin, suffering and hopelessness. And Jesus offered everyone – including you – the gift of transforming love that changes everything about everything forever. Indeed, the cross seems like an unlikely way for God to save the world. Yet that is exactly what God did.