A Mysterious Love

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Do you often give pause, to mediate and truly connect to the sufferings of Jesus Christ, to identify with His crucifixion and death?

A fuller discussion would cover many volumes, and each believer’s unique testimonial connection to Jesus’s sufferings would blanket the universe many times over! Today, let’s lean into His obedience to the cross.

Too often, we may see Jesus as a helpless victim when arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, a “prisoner” held against His will in the bloodthirsty fist of the Jewish high officials and the brutal Romans. Any of us would have felt this way, powerless against many men and weapon-wielding soldiers. Any one of us would have emphatically welcomed a chance for escape, or, an immediate pardon.

Jesus was the Son of Man, and He didn’t look forward to the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering that was to come for Him, for He prayed to the Father:

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

We naturally believe Jesus would want to be freed, as we would want freedom, especially on false charges. The crucified thieves would have taken any opportunity to get off their cross, or accept a less harsher punishment. They could NOT get off their cross, for they were sentenced to die as lawbreakers, powerless criminals in the hands of the Romans. While one thief mocked Jesus, the other confessed their deeds had fit the punishment. He then cried, “Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom,” to which Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:39-43). And we cannot get off our cross of death without Christ and receive everlasting life- the cross that we deserve as sinners.

As Son of God, Jesus understood there was no way around His suffering in order to fulfill the great plan of salvation- to restore the brokenness between God and man. He would need to obediently go through this suffering and death (Philippians 2:8). Otherwise, you and I would eternally be separated from Him. Though we deserve death, it’s only Jesus’s love, grace and mercy that saves us to eternally keep us in Him, and He in us, as He and the Father are one (John 17:21-23).

Jesus Chose You and Me

But Jesus was not powerless! He could have taken Himself off the cross. He could have called angels from heaven to smite the Romans, the Sanhedrin, and anyone who mocked Him. And if He made this choice, He would not cease being God. The man who drove the nails and the other who cracked the whip upon the back of the King of Kings- their sin was no greater than the seemingly small lie told to a friend yesterday. We all deserve death.

Jesus’s choice was purely unconditional love. He said, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:17-18).

When we don’t have a choice, or if we will lose something for ourselves, we may then make a decision to sacrifice for someone else. But Jesus had a choice. As mentioned, He would not cease being God, nor fail to return to heaven and enjoy its many splendors. The only consequence is that He would not have continued being the Good Shepherd of His flock, and would not be the author of eternal salvation. He would have lost us. He chose to go through an excruciatingly painful death not to save angels, but to save you and me (Hebrews 2:16-17). He does not need us. He wants us. 

As glorious as heaven is, and as flawed as we are, Christ’s desire for us is truly an unexplainable mystery that we can only describe as love. And yet, we can’t truly know and embrace the height, depth, and width of this love while we walk this earth (Ephesians 3:17-19).

And if this has resonated in your heart today, you can pray right now:

Lord Jesus, I come to you in a posture of humbleness and absolute surrender to you. I repent and ask for Your forgiveness for my sinful disobedience. Thank you for choosing me. Your love is immeasurable, and I pray to have this same love for other people. I pray all of these things in your powerful and almighty name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

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Health

Coffee for Health: What You Need to Know

Coffee is the most widely used beverage globally and contains many bioactive compounds, including phenolic compounds, alkaloids, triterpenes, organic acids, amino acids, hormones, and fatty acids.

Research suggests that regularly drinking coffee may play a role in preventing chronic health conditions such as inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Coffee also has many health benefits including antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer potential and anti-cancer properties.

Here's a more detailed look at the benefits.

Coffee contains antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that help protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are atoms that attack the body and cause oxidative stress, which may damage important molecules like proteins and DNA.

A 2022 study isolated more than 136 bioactive compounds in coffee, most of which are antioxidants. Some of these include:

• Phenolic acids: may contribute the most to coffee’s ability to fight free radicals and protect against oxidative stress, exert antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties

• Flavonoids: antioxidant properties and may lower the risk of heart attack or stroke

• Carotenoids: beneficial antioxidants that can protect from disease and enhance the immune system

• Terpenoids: show a range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic activities, and anti-cancer activities

• Polyphenols: boost digestion and brain health and protect against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers

• Tannins: act as antioxidants, combating free radicals and oxidative stress, and may contribute to reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and allergies. Tannins also possess antimicrobial properties.

• Alkaloids: show anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesics, local anesthetic and pain relief, neuropharmacologic, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and many other activities

• Stilbenes: have antioxidant, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties

• Lignans: lower the effects of heart disease, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects

• Melanoidin: provides antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and prebiotic activity

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends consuming no more than 400 mg of caffeine daily. This is the equivalent of two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee. Signs you may be consuming too much caffeine include:

• Increased heart rate

• Heart palpitations

• High blood pressure

• Insomnia or sleep disruptions

• Anxiety

• Jitters

• Upset stomach

• Nausea

• Headache

Though generally safe, consult with your licensed nutritionist, holistic/integrated practitioner, or medical doctor before consuming coffee if you are taking certain medications or have specific medical conditions.†* 

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_{†All health information in the articles is exclusively gathered from clinical/medical resources that have been industry vetted, with no conflict of interest in the information they present/publish.} 

_{*Holy Nutrition does not diagnose, treat, or give medical advice. Information provided is not medical advice and should not be relied upon for diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a healthcare provider or medical practitioner for any health concerns, questions, or before making any decisions related to your health. Individual health conditions and needs may vary, and therefore, professional medical advice is essential for personalized guidance. Holy Nutrition is not responsible for any harm or damage resulting from the user's reliance on the information contained in the articles.}