The Lord would have us follow His example, not toward victory by strength of arms, but to win it all by way of love. For He is unique among all the gods of the world, that He did not come as a conquering hero, but instead, as the lamb slain for the transgressions of the many, transgressions He never Himself committed. It is no fairy tale. And He would have of us that we should be like the above, from where He came, for He gave us that charge: to love one another as He loved us. That to lay down one’s life for one’s friends — there is no greater love than this, and we can indeed be called His friends when we follow the calling with which He called us. It need not be so extreme, I think, but can be something we do daily: when given the choice between force or understanding, between our own wills being done or to turn the other cheek, that we choose to be strong not in arm, but in the heart. For it was true strength that died on the cross, the symbol of which we today look upon to give us courage: remember that that is a crucified man we worship!

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