March 24, 2024
Our culture assumes that any discomfort or pain is bad, unnecessary, and to be eliminated. After finding someone to blame for it.
Jesus Christ did not live His life by this blanket illusion. He healed people’s diseases, but determinedly headed into His own pain and suffering for the sins of the whole world. And He said from the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34 RSV)
We ought to let this take our breath away. Hymn writer Isaac Watts penned these moving words:
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God,
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down,
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
