“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way—and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:6
“All for you, all for you.”
Even now, if we listen with our spiritual ears, we hear Him whispering those words to us. Jesus, the precious Son of God, Who became the new Passover Lamb, knew what awaited Him here on earth.
But, still He came. And, still He willingly suffered. And, still He died a most agonizing death on the Cross.
“All for you, all for you.”
“But, why, O Jesus, would you do such things?” we asked with great pain in our voice.
“Why would You suffer so and allow them to persecute you, spit upon you, pull out parts of your beard by its roots, beat you almost to death and then viciously and callously nail you to the Cross? Why?”
“Because I love you,” He whispers.
“But, Jesus,” we reply, “We’re stupid, straying sheep. We’re incorrigible. We know what You’ve said and what You want for our lives—but we still rip Your Heart out by its roots because we insist on doing it our way! How can You possibly still love us?!?”
“Because I do,” He quietly replies.
“And, Heavenly Father,” we continue, “While we’re at it, I’ve got one more question: Why would you lay on Jesus the iniquity of us all? I thought fathers were supposed to look out for their sons, not willingly and intentionally inflict pain upon them? Why would You do that?”
“Because I love you,” He replies.
“You cannot comprehend some Love with your human mind. It’s ‘beyond’ you. It makes no sense why I should be the One to strike, smite and afflict Him (v.4). . . lay your sins on Him. . . bruise Him and put Him to grief (v.10). . .and be satisfied when I see the travail of His soul (v.11).
“But, again, it’s not necessary that you understand such things. What’s important is that His suffering fulfilled all the requirements for you to be forgiven and made right with Me, which (hopefully) will lead you, in return, to love Me with every part of your being.”
Is not this the Gospel, dear Pilgrim?
Are not these words Heaven-sent and able to melt the hardest heart of stone?
Most assuredly they are. But, they must be received in faith, which results in “Godly sorrow that produces genuine repentance” (II Cor. 7:10)—i.e., an about-face in heart and mind.
Are you there yet? If so, give thanks; if not, do not rest until you are—for life’s too short and meaningless to miss the real Reason why Jesus came that night in Bethlehem.
December 21, 2011
