The Crucifixion

What must it have been like to give the One you love more than anything in the world over to human brutality and wickedness?

As I imagine that day that Jesus was condemned for innocence, to be not only my Savior but the Savior of the world, it is very difficult to get my mind around.

The horrific beatings You endured, even to cutting flesh and bone, nerves and tendons...
The continual mocking of those who feared and hated you...
The humiliation of being beaten ragged and spit on and snarled at....
The splinters rubbing and cutting into your already dissected flesh...
The exhaustion from physical pain...

Knowing you are INNOCENT....and we are completely guilty before the Throne of God.

Your mother, Mary Magdalene and John weeping over an unrecognizable Son, Savior, Friend...
Nails piercing nerves...
Thirst...
The crackling of broken ribs and broken bones...
The heartbreak and betrayel of a loved one...
The humiliation of the Roman soldiers...
The scoffing of the criminal who doubted your identity...

And so much more that I can not imagine. How any other that is not you would have been utterly crushed by such an experience. But what was your response in that moment, Jesus? In your power and obedience you...

Blessed.
Speaking Your love to the criminal, "Today you will be with me in Paradise."
Forgave.
"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
Provided.
Safety and provision for His mother in John the Baptist.
Loved.
By giving your life that I might be reconciled to My God. "It is finished."

You payed the price and fulfilled God's plan for all time. In the midst of your broken heart...broken over the sinful and rebellious people you created..you chose LIFE for me. Out of your broken heart, you fought for and defended me as God poured out all of His wrath on the Son.

He chose it because that was God's will. In LOVE, God created us and His love was perfect and never failing. He loved me so much that He willed to crucify His most Beloved. And although my mind doesn't ever fully grasp that, I know that I reap the benefits of that act everyday. Everyday that I am free to come before my Heavenly Father and plead with Him, thank Him, praise Him. Freely, without guilt and condemnation. To commune with Him. It is an unfathomable Joy.

If He loved me that much, how much love must He have for His son? He has no limits...