My son was scheduled for back surgery the next day. Consumed by an irrational fear, I went up for prayer on Sunday morning. Sobbing, I told my pastor that I had never been this afraid.
When I returned to my seat, my heart cried out: Lord, I might give my own life for another person. But, I could never give up my son to die. Never! Never! Never! For a moment, I felt the pain that losing my son would bring.
Suddenly, my focus turned to the Father and the cost to Him. I realized that what the Father did, I could never do. Then I remembered John 3:16.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
How did I ever read these words without being deeply moved by the Father’s willingness to sacrifice His only son? How can others read these words and remain indifferent?
This is probably the most famous Bible verse the world has ever heard. You may see it on a sign at a football game, on billboards, on clothes, or on bumper stickers. And if you attend church, you may have heard it hundreds of times.
Only when the fear of losing my own son invaded my emotions did I understand the incomparable cost to the Father. I realized the enormity of the sacrifice God had made by giving His only son.
But there is much more to the story. Not only did Jesus die, He suffered a cruel death.
“They spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” Matthew 26:67-68
“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.” Matthew 27: 27-31
“When we realize the expense God paid in forgiving our sins, we are immediately humbled by the power of such a display of love.” Jack Hibbs, from his book, LIVING IN THE DAZE OF DECEPTION
Perhaps, we should reflect more often on what the Father did. He gave His only Son for you and me, so great is His love.
P.S. My son’s surgery was a complete success. When he woke up from the anesthesia, he was pain-free for the first time in many months. Thank you, Lord, for answering my prayers.
In His Love, Cindy
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
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