What kind of love in this world is eternal and unchanging?
Some say it's a mother's love, others believe it's the love between spouses or friendship. I would say it's the love of the cross because it's a sacrificial love, the most transcendent love.
You might argue that a mother's love is also sacrificial, and you're right. It's not easy for a mother to carry a child for ten months, requiring many sacrifices. To protect the fetus, adjustments need to be made in diet, rest, clothing, and appearance. During childbirth, she endures immense pain, and some may even risk their lives. It is indeed a sacrificial love. However, this love is for her own children and is limited in time. When a mother passes away, she can no longer love her children. The love of Jesus Christ, however, knows no limits and is complete. "Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end" (John 13:1).
The love of the cross is God's sacrifice. He sent His only beloved son, Jesus, to the world. Jesus did not come as a king but as it's described in the Bible: "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem" (Isaiah 53:3). He gave up the glory of heaven, born into this world as a carpenter's son, living a humble life, and suffered from the accusations of religious leaders, betrayal by His disciples, and rejection by the people. Finally, He was crucified on the cross, bearing the sins of the world with innocence, becoming the sacrificial lamb, accomplishing the great work of redemption. Even on the cross, He cared for sinners, praying for the criminals crucified beside Him: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
Because of God's great sacrificial love, Jesus accomplished salvation for mankind. Whoever believes in Him will be forgiven of their sins and receive eternal life. This grace is freely given to all people, without the need to accumulate any merits. It seems impossible to receive such grace so easily, as there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. But let's not forget, Jesus paid a heavy price. He bore the sins of mankind, endured excruciating torture, was crucified, shed His precious blood to cleanse the sins of the world, reconciling people with God.
Dear reader, are you willing to accept this sacrificial love—the love of the cross for you?