"Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear the iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors" -Isaiah 53 (11-12)
Mmm Good Friday. The day in which we reflect upon and glorify the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our LORD. Today, I had the blessed opportunity to go to afternoon service at Hope Community church in Minneapolis with my beloved mentor, who is so passionate about the Lenten season. Several of the neighboring churches got together and put on the service - each congregation and pastor had a role in celebrating this blessed day. It was amazing. John Piper's prayer, the sermon, and the music truly uplifted the Lord and what He did for us. We spent the afternoon meditating and dwelling on the power of the cross, the beauty of Christ's death.
For those of us that have grown accustom to celebrating the Lenten season, I think this day often receives less attention than it deserves. Christ's death becomes something we accept as old news, almost, when it should be acknowledged, uplifted and rejoiced over. Not just today, but each and every day. This is what I've realized in my own heart, anyway. Jesus Christ's death on that hill in Calvary - the intense agony the Lord faced in preparing for His death, the bitter mockery of the crowd, and watching those He loved turn away from Him; the agony that caused Him to sweat drops of blood in Gethsemane as He asked the Lord, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as i will, but as you will (Matt 26:39). The extreme pain Jesus suffered as He was whipped, beaten, nailed to a cross, and left to hang and bleed until death. The tremendous hurt and grief inflicted upon Him, as Jesus Christ consumed all of our sins and transgressions - the perfect lamb became sin itself so that God Himself could no longer look upon His beloved son and was forced to turn away, pouring out all His wrath upon the sins Jesus bore. Our sins.
From death to new life - the great paradox of our Christian faith is exemplified, proclaimed and made known in Jesus' death. He did not only die FOR us, He TOOK OUR PLACE. He took the punishment we deserved as He held the world's sins on His shoulders. Oh my God, what LOVE is this?! On this day, Jesus became our true Savior - defying death and bringing us new life in HIM. He saved us from condemnation and freed us.
As a child, the gruesome image of Christ on the cross was intimidating and fearful. Yet now, as the Lord has grown and matured me, an image that once evoked fear CASTS out my fears. The image of my Jesus hanging on the cross brings me to my knees. Humbles me - while I was amongst the crowd that persecuted Jesus, my heart full of hate, Christ died for me. He. Died. For. Me. For. Us. Say that out loud, let it sink in. Through Christ's death, I am saved. We are saved. How can i not fall to my knees in awe, reverence and thanksgiving? That while i was still a sinner, Christ bore my sins, took God's wrath and has replaced the Law with GRACE, MERCY, and LOVE OVERFLOWING. He poured out His blood for us. That we might live.
My God, my God, what a world You love. May we glorify You, seek Your kingdom alone. In Your death, You gave us an identity. You called us to lay down our lives and take on YOUR CROSS. . Your death consumed our sin. And so, we have no choice but to take on Your cross - a cross that crushes our sinful nature and redeems us. We are redeemed; the old and rugged cross is now a symbol of hope, unfailing love and MERCY. Redemption.
Let us make our boasts in the Lord, in what He has done for us. It is by Him alone that we may live. It is by His death and resurrection that we are saved. His yoke, His cross is easy, His burden is light. Thank You, Lord, for hanging on that cross. Thank You for thinking of us -unworthy sinners- as You remained in agony and did not call upon God to save You. We are unworthy, You are the precious and perfect lamb. Humble us, God. Let us bask in Your presence, let us glorify Your greatness. Thank You, for being our intercessor. May Your power take our breath away. Thank You for defying death, for being the light in the darkness.
"Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"
-1 Corinthians 15:55
Let us celebrate the Lord's resurrection on Easter Sunday and always; and let us never forget, never underestimate the power and redemption His death brought.
"Upon that hill of Calvary, He came from heaven's throne.
Our fallen-ness and mercy meet, where blood and water flow.
What grace divine, what selflessness, that Christ would bear the weight.
Our proof is scarred on hands that bled, that we were worth every nail.
And all the praise and glory to God
We sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah
For the King has carried the cross,
He has risen from the grave.
Beyond the tomb to holy skies, He rose in victory.
And bridged for us the Great divide, His life is our liberty.
It's Your love, it's Your love, it's Your love that has saved me,
Your blood, it's Your blood Your blood that has claimed me"
-Hillsong
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