Love, Sacrifice, and the Persian Emperor

How much are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of love?

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Persian Empire which flourished 500 years before the birth of Christ. It was Cyrus who released the Jews form their Babylonian exile and contributed to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. His wisdom, justice and compassion are the stuff of legend.

One story concerns a prince and his family that were captured by Cyrus’ soldiers. The prince and his family was brought to Cyrus in chains and the emperor asked the prisoner, “What will you give me if I release you?” “Half of my wealth,” replied the prince. “And if I release your children?” “All of my wealth and possessions.” “And if I release your wife?” “Your majesty, I would give you myself.”

Cyrus was so moved by the prince’s devotion and love that he freed the entire family. As they journeyed home, the prince commented to his wife, “Wasn’t Cyrus a handsome man?” But his wife only looked at her husband with great love in her eyes, “I did not notice,” she said, “I could only keep my eyes upon you, the one who was willing to give himself for me.”

We sometimes lose sight of all that God is willing to sacrifice for us. God the Father sacrificed His only Son. But God the Son sacrificed Himself.

For the Jews the sacrifice of Abraham is the climax of their covenant relationship with God. It is seen as a double sacrifice. First there is the sacrifice of the father, Abraham, willing to give up his own son. Then there is the sacrifice of the son who willingly gives up his life in accordance with his father’s will. Isaac was not a helpless child. He would have been old enough to put up an effective struggle against his elderly father. Isaac offered up his own life freely.

God did not spare His own son for the sake of us all. The Father fulfills His promise to give us everything. The sacrifice of Abraham, the sacrifice of the father, is united perfectly with the obedient sacrifice of the Son, in order to do exactly that, give us everything. God is so completely with us and for us that no juridical judgment can stand against us.

The Transfiguration is one of the great manifestations of the Holy Trinity. The Father shows the true nature of the Beloved Son, whom He has not withheld from the slaughter. The Son, the new Isaac, is perfectly obedient even unto death. And all is veiled in divine mystery by the overshadowing of the luminous cloud of the Holy Spirit.

Never doubt the great love that God has for each and every one of us.

The dark days of the passion lie ahead. But full knowledge of what the Father has done for us, the totality of the sacrifice made for us, out of the love of a Father for His children, will strengthen us as we proclaim the Good News.

Pax Vobiscum