This is the mystery, that Christ can be obedient, glorious love of God and the full measure of our disobedience, both at once -Walter Wangerin Jr.
I’ve been writing about the early church–the very first beginnings. The first scene opens during the time Jesus is suffering on the cross. We’re not at that scene, however, we’re with his four brothers on their way home from Jerusalem because they can’t understand the things Jesus is doing during the Passover Feast.
I’ve been thinking about how wrong we can be sometimes. God’s ways often prove to be in contrast to what we think we know or expect.
Like the mystery of the Cross. Paradox opens our eyes. Often in hindsight.
How can it be that God broke into our world through our violence towards him, so that he could lavish upon us his tremendous grace, love, and joy?
The Light was covered by utter darkness—for three hours. The Father rejects Sin through the suffering of his Son as Sin; and now the Father grants us acceptance through the Son. We rejoice as we embrace this wondrous mystery.
Lord of justice! Lord of mercy!
You hung suspended between the two.
What happened to Jesus at Golgotha was horrific, yet wonderful, ghastly yet glorious. But was it truly the Father’s will for Jesus to suffer so and die?
“Thou shalt not kill.”
The commandments of God were given to us so that we might know right from wrong. Can you imagine . . . We killed the Giver of the commandments—the Creator of life? Our sins nailed the image of God, God Incarnate, to a tree.
Why, oh why, did he go so willingly?
Jesus said that he came to lay down his life as a ransom for many. God himself became a perfect and holy living sacrifice. He paid the highest price that could ever be paid: God’s own life.
But Reason asks: How can someone else’s death be payment for what I have done?
He wasn’t just “someone” else – He was Life itself.
Besides, what Jesus has done for us goes way beyond reason. He himself calls it, through the infallible inspiration of Scripture, “the foolishness of the cross.” And it is the only way to forgiveness and eternal life.
Our way to eternal life was purchased at a very high price. God laid himself down, a perfect offering, for sin. He took upon his holy, glorious self the punishment and shame, filled with torment and pain, and became the one punished in our place. Surely, this sacrifice is the most extravagant, costly trade: God’s life for yours.
God became a man so he could pay the price and bring us back to him. The penalty for our sins has been paid by him.
“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
“The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53
How can it be that God broke into our world through our violence towards him, so that he could lavish upon us his tremendous grace, love, and joy?
This is the mystery of the Cross.