Let me ask you: was there ever a time Jesus questioned the Father?
Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and that right there is a bit of a sticky question, isn’t it? Always and always Jesus was in perfect line with the will of the Father, but there is that heartbreaking moment when, on the cross, He echoed those words from the psalms: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And it has a question mark at the end of it! The idea that God would allow His Son to suffer the torture of crucifixion is beyond me… the humiliation of being nearly naked, the searing pain, the blood and sweat, the spit from drunken soldiers and the scorn of a jeering mob. Little wonder Jesus looked up to heaven and asked why.
And in this season leading up to Easter, I think it’s so important that we pause to consider just what our sins did to the Lord. God Himself pouring out the judgment for our sins upon His Son; every sin imaginable: lusting and lying, cheating and coveting, murder and deceit. Of course, Jesus never did a one of those things, but every single sin, every offense you and I have ever committed was racked up on His account right there on the cross. As the prophet long ago testified, “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows… he was pierced for our transgressions… and the punishment that brought us peace was laid on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
So where is God's goodness in treating Christ so? Where was the Father’s kindness in turning His back while His only Son cried out in grief? On that terrible and wonderful day, God's goodness was directed toward you. God forsook His own Son so that He would never have to forsake you. And because of that dark hour 2,000 years ago, God says to you today, “I will never desert you; I will never leave you.”
Sometimes as I think about this, I feel ashamed. But like it says in Romans, the goodness of God is meant to lead us to repentance. To think that God's anger for my sins – for your sins – was poured out on Christ so that there’s no anger left for you or me. That is amazing. Absolutely amazing love – how can it be, that Christ my God should die for me? Or you? That Jesus, the Lord of life, should defeat death by embracing it… that He should plunge the knife in His own chest for me and you. Wow!
You know what this makes me want to do? Praise Him. Thank Him. Honor Him and obey Him with all my heart and soul and mind. Unlike Jesus, you and I will never have to agonize at being separated from God. The Father poured out the full measure of His wrath; He poured out the terror of eternal hell on His own Son, so that you and I could be family. That’s how much He loves you and me. So, friend, today get yourself disentangled from every single sin which so easily besets you, traps you and trips you up. Rid yourself of it and every daydream and selfish longing… and join me, would you, in living a life that’s a thank offering to the Savior for all that He did to rescue us from darkness!
Friend, if this is a message you would like to share with others, I have copied it into a little tract called "Amazing Love" and I'd like to send you several in English and a couple in the Spanish language, as well. Just go online to joniandfriends.org and ask for “Amazing Love.” Because when love is as amazing as is the love of God… you’ve just gotta give it, you gotta share it, you have to pass it on. That’s what you do when love is that amazing.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
© Joni and Friends