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If you ever doubt just how great the Father’s love for you is, you need only to look at what Jesus did for you. Yes. You. He did it for you and for me. He loved us so much, that He was willing to suffer horribly, be beaten, spit on, ridiculed, thorns put onto his head, nails into his hands and feet and die a sinners death on a cross. Remember, He committed no sin, He was perfect in every way. He lived out perfect love.
Yet He allowed, yes He allowed, Himself to go through all that, because He loves us so much, and wants us to have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in heaven.
He could have called down legions of angels to rescue him, better yet, He could have bypassed the whole thing. But He suffered more than you or I could ever handle. In the garden, He fully submitted himself to His Father’s will. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) He gave His life up willingly for us, it was not an obligation, He did it gladly.
These simple words Jesus said on the cross, right before He gave up his Spirit willingly for us, touch me to the core. They remind me that if Jesus, God’s only Son, could fully submit Himself to the Father’s will. A will that I could never fathom, why can’t I submit my life to the One who created me?
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” ~ Luke 23:46
The last two days, I have been singing in my head the hymn “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us“. I am leaving you the words below, to give you just a glimpse of how much your Father in heaven loves you. I can’t get the thought out of my head around what it must have been like between the time Jesus died and He rose. How horrible was it for Him to experience a complete separation from His Father? But, He had the hope to know, it was only for a short time.
If you have not surrendered your life to the One who loves you passionately, I want to urge you right now. Get down on your knees and ask Him to be Lord of your life. He is sitting there waiting for you.
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr’s, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
©1995 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music
Words and Music by Stuart Townend
This day reminds me of two songs as well. The song “Face to Face” by Cornerstone has a line that says, “When I was shaking from the pain, I thought about your name and I was so glad I could take your place and one day be with you face to face.” The line makes the crucifixion so personal for me.
The lyrics of the song, “Can he still feel the nails” has always brought tears to my eyes. “Can he still feel the nails, every time I fail. Can he hear the crowds cry crucify again. Am I causing him pain, for I know I’ve got to change. Because I just can’t bear the thought of hurting him.”
As you said he went through the most unspeakable pain and died for us; why is it so hard for us to believe, put him on in baptism and live our life for him.
Kelly, thank you so much for this post. What a beautiful reminder of what Easter is really about! Have a beautiful, reflective weekend!!
This is my dad’s favorite song! It’s so beautiful and makes me tear up every time I hear it.
Such a beautiful song.