We are entering the Easter Triduum — which begins the evening of Holy Thursday and continues through the evening of Easter Sunday. These three days, at the end of the Lenten season, offer us the chance each year to contemplate God’s plan of redemption for us, through Jesus’ Passion, Death, Resurrection and glorious Ascension into Heaven.

Known as the Paschal Mystery, this revelation of God’s deep love for us is an essential belief for all Christians.

How does Jesus go willingly and without a word or act of resistance to His death on a Cross? Where does He find the strength and courage to do this? This form of torture was so cruel and horrific that Roman citizens were largely exempted from it except in cases of high treason.

As Jesus celebrates a final meal with His disciples, on the Eve of His Passion, He knows what is coming. In fact He tells His disciples that someone seated at dinner is about to betray Him:

“[Jesus said,] ‘But behold the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me at the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!’ And they began to question one another, which of them it was that would do this.” Luke 22: 21-23

Later on, in the Garden of Gesthemane, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus prays to God about the coming torture:

“And He came out, and went, as was His custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed Him. And when He came to the place He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw and knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this chalice [or suffering] from Me; nevertheless, not My will but Yours, be done.’ And there appeared an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like drops of blood falling down upon the ground.” Luke 22: 39-44

How did Jesus go through with this? Why would He subject Himself to such a horrific death? Believers and non-believers alike have debated this for centuries. And the debate and wonder continues today.

The only practical answer to these questions is: Love.

Jesus loves us so much. By the time He arrives in human history, the plan of God’s salvation, revealed through various events of the Old Testament, has been long underway. Jesus comes to earth as the Son of God to connect these truths for us and to complete God’s plan for redeeming us from our sins.

Jesus comes to fight for our souls. And through an act of unimaginable Love, He lays down His life for us so that we may know and share in eternal life with Him.

True love is always an active thing. When we love someone, we fight for them, we persevere for them, we sacrifice for them, and we forgive them.

When we love someone, we rejoice in them, we are patient with and kind to them, we believe in their potential for goodness and help them to be better, and we never — ever — give up on them.

Jesus loves us deeply and without end.

“Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; anyone who follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of life.'” John 8: 12