Fast - Day Six
Saturday, April 11, 2009
CRUCIFY HIM!!
That was the refrain heard yesterday during Good Friday services, as my Lord was put to death. And my voice was among those yelling it, mocking Him. Not literally yelling during the service, but I know that’s what my heard screamed every time I sinned before I met Jesus.
I’d like to think, had I really been there then, that I’d not have denied Him, that I’d have wept over Him like his family and disciples. I’d like to think that I’d have said, like the soldier who stabbed Him with the spear to make sure He was dead, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Truly. I’d like to think that I would have thought of all the times He SAID this was going to happen, that He would suffer and die for me, that I would also remember He said He would rise again. But I know, had I been there, I would have been no different than the other disciples, their hopes turning into sorrow and grief, their fire flickering with failure and faint hearts, their thoughts troubled with, “What now?”
Replace “their” with “my”...I was there. There is blood on my hands. I had a role in killing my Lord Jesus, the Christ. My voice stood out among those who shouted “CRUCIFY HIM!” My voice stood out among those who mocked and scorned and scoffed at Him as He bled there on that cross. MY sin put Him there, and He became MY sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
21) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Yet he became my sin FOR me so that I would receive His righteousness and be justified to stand before the Father at my own death and be absolved of any wrongdoing against God. That’s how deep God’s love goes. This gruesome, horrifying death is a picture of love. Because it shows that God would kill His own son as a sacrifice for me...and for you. You stood next to me, shouting. You were there. Jesus died for you, too, because of YOUR sin. You killed God. As did I. And because God works all things for good, for those who love Him, He did so even in this horrifying death. It was His perfect plan in action. It was death by love. That’s how deep His love goes.
I can’t wait until tomorrow when we get to celebrate the glory of His resurrection, and truly, truly embrace that His work on the cross was to conquer Satan, sin, and death. And that He proved He is God by leaving the tomb empty, proving He conquered death by living again.
Today’s song is “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us,” written by Stuart Townend and performed by Nicole Nordeman.
HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US
By: Nicole Nordeman
How deep the Father’s love for us,
how vast beyond all measure,
that He would give His only Son,
to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
the Father turns His face away,
as wounds which mar the Chosen One
bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon the cross,
my sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held him there,
until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life,
I know that “it is finished.”
I will not boast in anything,
no gifts, no power, no wisdom,
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
Father God, Your love for us is so great, so wide, and unconditional. I praise You Lord that You are Love, that You love for the sake of loving. I know that Your love manifests itself in ways that seem harsh to us, but it serves Your will, and so I praise You. Thank You , Jesus, that You paid my ransom and reconciled me to Yourself.
