“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors.”
Isaiah 53:5-6, 12
Flesh ripped from His bones. Gashes that exposed muscle and tendons. Wounds that completely pierced His body. Beaten beyond recognition. Bruised, swollen and bleeding.
Imagine the sights and sounds of that dreadful day … 3 days before the Easter ‘Son’rise …
As Jesus’ disfigured, but still perfect and sinless body, thrashed against the rock He had been tied to … the skin to skin contact as they beat Him … the whip as it connected with His skin, wrapping around His exposed flesh, taking hold of the surface it touched, only to be snatched back, splitting His skin where it hit … the thorns entering the brow of His head … Him collapsing under the weight of the cross as He made the treacherous walk up Calvary’s mountain … the hammer hitting the nails as they nailed Him to the cross … the nails puncturing His flesh … His skin ripping as the cross fell into place and His weight pressed and gravity pulled at His wounded body … as He struggled to breath … as He looked down on the ones who loved Him, the ones who choose to follow Him … as He shifted His sights onto the ones who openly mocked and rejected Him … the ones who cried out “Crucify Him” … the laughing … the crying …
Oh the excruciating pain He must have felt as they stood the cross up and the weight of His aching body fell against the nails that pierced His hands and feet. The immeasurable anguish He must have felt as He fought for each breath while He hung there fighting for my very soul and yours. His One and Only Sacrifice was and is sufficient for all generations; yet still so many will leave this world and suffer unnecessarily.
“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:14
As He endured my punishment, bore my sins and felt my beatings … As my nails entered His hands and He hung on my cross … As He died my death … Did He scream? Did He cry? Did He question His calling? Did He question my worth? Did He question yours?
“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” John 12:27-28
Absolutely not! Jesus knew why He had come. He knew why He chose to leave His Father’s side, and His eyes were focused on “this purpose”. Did He dread parts of the journey … absolutely! BUT the journey, both the pleasurable and the dreadful, was worth the cost. He has made us a way, THE ONLY WAY, to an eternity spent with the Father. I can’t help but think of this hymn … my Nanny’s favorite …
How Great Thou Art … By Stuart Keene Hine
“I think of God, His son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul My Savior, God, to Thee … How great thou art. How great thou art.
Then sings my soul My Savior, God, to Thee … How great Thou art. How great Thou art.”
On this very night, over 2000 years ago, I imagine that hopelessness filled the world. Jesus lay dead in a tomb, as Satan celebrated his victory. However, tomorrow changed history and hope reigns! The morning brought good news … the good news … Jesus has risen. Satan wasn’t victorious, and this sealed the fact that he never would be. He may win some battles yes, but the war … well … the war’s victor is THE ONE and ONLY TRUE and LIVING GOD – FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT!
In a few hours I will partake in communion. I will eat the bread broken for me. I will drink the juice shed for me. I do this to remember the sights and sounds of that day. To remember His sacrifice. To remember my part in His pain. To remember I was bought for a high price, and so were you. To remember one day He is coming again to take His children home … where we will glorify our Father forevermore. Until then I must remember my purpose here, His purpose, and suffer with Him a while … and then …
“Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow with humble adoration and then proclaim My God how great Thou art
Then sings my soul My Savior, God, to Thee … How great thou art. How great thou art.
Then sings my soul My Savior, God, to Thee … How great Thou art. How great Thou art.”
The excruciating and inconceivable pain of the cross will pale in comparison to what eternity holds for those who refuse His precious gift – and that’s a life lived in absence of the unconditional love of the Father. The One and Only God, who has gone the distance to prove our worth to Him, yet still He lovingly and graciously waits as we choose His worth to us.
How long will you make Him wait? How long will He continue to pursue you? He never promises tomorrow! We only have right now … so, choose this day whom you will serve …
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
Categories: Circumstances in Life
Tags: atonement, calvary, cross, crucified, Easter, forgiveness, freedom, gift, God, Grace, Heaven, Holy Spirit, How Great thou art, inconceivable pain, Isaiah 53, Jesus Christ, John 12, Joshua 24, Matthew 7, meaningful relationship, Mercy, payment, ransom, redeemed, resurrected, salvation, saved, savior, sins, the way, unconditional love, victory over death, who will you serve, worhtless, worthy
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