Because Jesus died on the cross there is now someone standing beside us in our wrongdoing, whispering to God “Father forgive them.” Now there is a permanent sacrifice on the altar every time we need cleansing, ready to be offered to God. And not just any sacrifice, a perfect, blameless one that is instantly accepted in place of the wrath we so deeply deserve.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
Just like Simon took up Jesus’ cross, and walked with him those final painful steps, God calls us to do the same. He calls us when we are exhausted, when we are busy, when it is inconvenient, and when it is hard. He calls us to do things that aren’t easy, that might be burdensome, but he is with us.
The bridge of the song says “My God, I see not what you see, my God what do you see in me?” Let our prayer today be one of gratitude: that Jesus saw us when we didn’t believe, and still died for us.
It’s hard to imagine giving up your life for someone, but in this torturous and humiliating way, it’s even harder. Why would Jesus do this for us?
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
That’s the reason: love.
There are so many reasons in our lives to fight against God’s plans; they can be painful and hard, they can be boring or take forever, but they are aways good. Jesus recognized this, and even though, humanly, he didn’t want it, he knew it was for the greater good of all of us.
