A Precious Gift

The past few days I’ve been dwelling on the Easter story and all that Jesus went through on our behalf. It can be so easy for me to focus on the physical suffering of Jesus. His death certainly was a gruesome, terrible, painful, and humiliating event. As a human, the first thing I think of when I consider his crucifixion is pain.  As God in the flesh, I know that Jesus was not eager to undergo the excruciating and drawn out torture that he endured. However, I believe that the part of him that was intimately connected with his Father, was far less eager to undergo the weight of our sin and the separation that  occurred as a result. His anguish about what was approaching was so great, that it manifested in physical ways. 

Luke 22:42-44 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done”. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

It is incredibly staggering to try and imagine the weight of all the sin that Jesus bore on the cross. I sin so many times each day. Multiply that by the number of days of my life. And take into account the sin of every person on this earth throughout the ages, and all the days of their life. The magnitude of the spiritual heaviness and the number of death sentences that Jesus took upon himself is incomprehensible. 

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

The love that God has for us is unconditional, irrevocable, and unchanging. It is offered whether we accept it or not. Nothing we can possibly ever do will be enough to discredit his love for us. I pray that the great gift you are given through Jesus’ death will never grow old or be taken for granted, but will become more incredible and precious to you with each new day. 

Blessings,

Catherine