As a child, my Catholic parents instilled in my siblings and me the discipline of reflection each Good Friday. We were instructed to find a quiet place in our home and sit from Noon to 3pm and think about what Jesus did for us as he suffered on the cross those three hours before his death. I would climb up into my Dad's easy chair and contemplate the nails and the crown of thorns, the blood and the pain. I remembered his cry, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” I can’t say that I spent the entire 3 hours on Good Friday meditating on Jesus, but I did learn as a young girl, the significance of the Cross of Christ.
While reading Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 this morning, these prophecies of the coming Messiah touched my heart. Written centuries before his birth, they gave great detail about what Jesus would suffer for the sins of the world. They told of his hands and feet being pierced with nails, his features being ordinary, his clothes divided up in a gambling match, his reputation besmirched, and his terrible suffering for mankind.
As I reflected this morning on His suffering, I was saddened that he experienced all the sins, past, present and future, of the very creation that he loves; sins of lying, pride, rape, torture, theft, murder, abuse and more. To realize he experienced the wickedness in the hearts of we who committed these sins is a sad enough thought. But that he took those atrocities onto himself in order to pay for the penalty in our stead, seems to be so unfair to him.
As I continued to contemplate these things, God reminded me of the passage in Hebrews 12:2 where the writer tells us to “… fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus endured the cross of his own volition, for the joy of redeeming mankind through this one terrifying act of love and submission. He was not concerned for the shame others heaped on him. He knew his purpose. He obeyed his Father. He bought back the human race, those who would believe in his name. He endured the cross willingly, for me. For you!
So, on this Easter weekend, I have to ask myself if I am willing to “scorn the shame” for his sake. Am I willing to be vocal in today’s atmosphere of political correctness, no matter the consequences, to speak boldly of his love and sacrifice for all who would believe?
What’s so good about Good Friday? Jesus redeemed us from the penalty of our sins! Although our sadness today over his suffering is appropriate, let’s not forget … Sunday is coming!
Happy Easter!!
©copyright 2011. Sandra Dowling Housley
While reading Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 this morning, these prophecies of the coming Messiah touched my heart. Written centuries before his birth, they gave great detail about what Jesus would suffer for the sins of the world. They told of his hands and feet being pierced with nails, his features being ordinary, his clothes divided up in a gambling match, his reputation besmirched, and his terrible suffering for mankind.
As I reflected this morning on His suffering, I was saddened that he experienced all the sins, past, present and future, of the very creation that he loves; sins of lying, pride, rape, torture, theft, murder, abuse and more. To realize he experienced the wickedness in the hearts of we who committed these sins is a sad enough thought. But that he took those atrocities onto himself in order to pay for the penalty in our stead, seems to be so unfair to him.
As I continued to contemplate these things, God reminded me of the passage in Hebrews 12:2 where the writer tells us to “… fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus endured the cross of his own volition, for the joy of redeeming mankind through this one terrifying act of love and submission. He was not concerned for the shame others heaped on him. He knew his purpose. He obeyed his Father. He bought back the human race, those who would believe in his name. He endured the cross willingly, for me. For you!
So, on this Easter weekend, I have to ask myself if I am willing to “scorn the shame” for his sake. Am I willing to be vocal in today’s atmosphere of political correctness, no matter the consequences, to speak boldly of his love and sacrifice for all who would believe?
What’s so good about Good Friday? Jesus redeemed us from the penalty of our sins! Although our sadness today over his suffering is appropriate, let’s not forget … Sunday is coming!
Happy Easter!!
©copyright 2011. Sandra Dowling Housley
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