Forty-four years ago this Good Friday, I first caught a glimpse of Calvary. I was just 9 years old -sitting in that pew, on that night, in a church my grandfather had pastored long before I was born. Papa sat next to me, nodding his head in agreement as the pastor read Scripture, and labored to make the words come alive. Papa's presence kept me alert, his enthusiasm drew me in to the message too.
The pastor asked us to consider the people at the foot of the cross, the pathos and pity of the sight of Mary witnessing her son's execution, and the horror and amazement of the people who had followed Jesus, now standing back from the cross in silent, agonized despair. When the multitudes went their way, back to their homes, back to their work, back to their lives... these few at the cross could not. Whether the crowd left out of pity for the sight, or fear at the sudden darkness and strange events, the fact is that only a few were left: The few - the very few - the faithful.
Even a centurion, hardened to such sights, was deeply moved and changed by this scene, fearing greatly as he remarked that this was truly the Son of God. And, the pastor promised, once you catch a glimpse of that scene in your mind's eye, you will be changed as well.
He was right.
The pastor asked us to consider the people at the foot of the cross, the pathos and pity of the sight of Mary witnessing her son's execution, and the horror and amazement of the people who had followed Jesus, now standing back from the cross in silent, agonized despair. When the multitudes went their way, back to their homes, back to their work, back to their lives... these few at the cross could not. Whether the crowd left out of pity for the sight, or fear at the sudden darkness and strange events, the fact is that only a few were left: The few - the very few - the faithful.
Even a centurion, hardened to such sights, was deeply moved and changed by this scene, fearing greatly as he remarked that this was truly the Son of God. And, the pastor promised, once you catch a glimpse of that scene in your mind's eye, you will be changed as well.
He was right.
Thank you to Gerardofagen https://www.flickr.com/photos/29310420@N02/5437614015/in/gallery-63244808@N08-72157629317701983/
The death of the Son of God - the ultimate sacrifice by the only One who could pay that price.
In the economy of God, what justifies such sacrifice?
Suddenly, that night so long ago, I understood. It was God's love for me that made the cross necessary. It was for me. I turned my head and my eyes met Papa's...he saw in my eyes the reflection of all I was glimpsing for the first time. He nodded, squeezed my hand. And said, "Yes, it was for us. Praise His name for His great love."
It is humbling indeed to consider that it was solely God’s love for humanity that sent Christ to the cross. We were worth that terrible price. We were worth the suffering and separation from God.
It was His great love that would never be satisfied until a means of salvation was established for every sinner. It was His great love that would not stop short of paying everything possible to be paid, for the souls of mankind.
The love of God only rests when the image of God is restored in those who have been marred by sin. He went to the cross for us. He continues to pursue our hearts today. I am so thankful for the glimpse of understanding that night so long ago. I am so thankful that Jesus was willing to pay the price for my sins, to make a way for reconciliation between God and man.
It is important to consider, too, that Christ’s life was not taken from Him. The Jews didn’t kill Him, and neither did the Romans. No, he was not murdered by human hands. Of His own volition He, “yielded up His spirit,” Scripture tells us. Christ's death provided the solution to the problem of physical and spiritual death that Adam and Eve brought into in the world so long ago.
In Jesus, we find all we ever need. Love, life, and the eternal joyous presence of God are all available through His death on the cross. Praise God, His death on the cross was not the end of the story! Praise God, for His omnipotent love!
Dear Jesus, Thank you for the Cross. Thank you for your great love for us. Thank you that You would not rest until our salvation was accomplished. Thank You for giving us a glimpse of Your great love for us. May we walk worthy, in Jesus’ name, amen.
With Great Hope in Him!
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
In the economy of God, what justifies such sacrifice?
Suddenly, that night so long ago, I understood. It was God's love for me that made the cross necessary. It was for me. I turned my head and my eyes met Papa's...he saw in my eyes the reflection of all I was glimpsing for the first time. He nodded, squeezed my hand. And said, "Yes, it was for us. Praise His name for His great love."
It is humbling indeed to consider that it was solely God’s love for humanity that sent Christ to the cross. We were worth that terrible price. We were worth the suffering and separation from God.
It was His great love that would never be satisfied until a means of salvation was established for every sinner. It was His great love that would not stop short of paying everything possible to be paid, for the souls of mankind.
The love of God only rests when the image of God is restored in those who have been marred by sin. He went to the cross for us. He continues to pursue our hearts today. I am so thankful for the glimpse of understanding that night so long ago. I am so thankful that Jesus was willing to pay the price for my sins, to make a way for reconciliation between God and man.
It is important to consider, too, that Christ’s life was not taken from Him. The Jews didn’t kill Him, and neither did the Romans. No, he was not murdered by human hands. Of His own volition He, “yielded up His spirit,” Scripture tells us. Christ's death provided the solution to the problem of physical and spiritual death that Adam and Eve brought into in the world so long ago.
In Jesus, we find all we ever need. Love, life, and the eternal joyous presence of God are all available through His death on the cross. Praise God, His death on the cross was not the end of the story! Praise God, for His omnipotent love!
Dear Jesus, Thank you for the Cross. Thank you for your great love for us. Thank you that You would not rest until our salvation was accomplished. Thank You for giving us a glimpse of Your great love for us. May we walk worthy, in Jesus’ name, amen.
With Great Hope in Him!
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
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