Sacrifice.

How many of us really realise exactly how much Christ gave up to be with us. And then, after we realise that, how many of us understand what a gift it is. And once we understand, that, how many of us take that into our lives?
This particular subject has been heavy on my heart lately. As I read Matthew 26 and 27 the other night, I was just suddenly hit by how nonchalantly I read this. Here it was, the event in history that is the basis for my faith, the reason for who I am, and I read it as if it was a story.
Upon realising this, I stopped and went back to the beginning of chapter 26. Reading through, this time with a heart to see the truth, I understood exactly how painful the death of Christ was. Not just physical, but in every single aspect. He lived a life of rejection, was betrayed by one of His own disciples, abandoned by the others, brutally beaten, sentenced to death by His own people, put to death in the most painful way possible, while taking on all sin that has ever been or ever will be for everyone, ( people have killed themselves because of the guilt they carry over their sins, and He took that on multiplied by like.... gazillions) and worst of all, He was separated from His father. God turned away. I can't fathom how painful that would be for me, and my love for God is not even a portion of what Christ is capable of having, much less has. Oh the pain. It breaks my heart.
How can we read this like it is nothing? And even more, how can we live like this is "normal". It's part of our every day life yes, but since when is any part of Christianity normal? Since when is every day for a Christian normal?
I started thinking of how we normalise things in our lives, such as prayer..... or even saying "Dear Jesus" at the beginning of prayer. Reading the Bible, talking about Christ sacrifice, living out His life and love, oh the list goes on and on. My prayer for myself and for others is that we will not normalise Christ. I want to feel the heartbreak of the cross every day, because through that comes incredible joy. No, not sacrificing Christ over and over again, but understanding each and every day that He went through intense pain, because that understanding gives me just a glimpse of the great love he holds for me. I don't want to be normal. Idk, just what's been on my mind lately. =)