I was overcome this morning by the thought of Jesus on the cross bearing the weight of not only my sin, but the sin of all the world, for all generations. Up until that point, he had experienced all that we experience on this earth – pain, grief, joy, temptation, weariness, friendship, frustration, love, disappointment, being misunderstood, etc, etc. but he had not yet experienced the weight of sin. He was sinless. But at the cross, he felt it all. The heaviness, the guilt, the shame, the separation from God – all because he loved us and wanted to have a relationship with us. He took it all. Another way that he fully understands us. Sin is its own punishment. We have all felt that at different times in our lives. And he took on that punishment. I cannot even comprehend that kind of love. It makes me dizzy just thinking about it.
Right before he died, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Not, ‘it’s over’ as if his dying meant the end. But, ‘it is finished’ meaning it’s complete. The work had been done. The sacrifice made. Grace fully accomplished. Sin is death, and it’s picture was on a tree. Sin and death defeated. Life and love reigned supreme. What a glorious, hideous day. Ugly grace. Beautiful grace. Life and forgiveness handed to us. Amazing.
I don’t know why the picture hit me so precisely this morning. But I hope I never get over it…
