It took the most drastic of all measures to eradicate sin. Jesus, God’s precious Son, was sacrificed and died a horrific death, though He was innocent. If you are a parent, or even if you had a decent enough parent yourself, try to imagine this. Do you know of any parent who would voluntarily sacrifice their innocent child to the most terrifying and violent of deaths? Why? How? This choice is unimaginable. This was a plan agreed upon by parent and child–Father and Son.  

This choice messes with our idea of love. Anyone who might question the love between the Father and the Son should read Jesus’ prayer recorded in John 17 shortly before he was arrested. God loved His Son. In fact, God and Jesus are one. 

While we might shake our fists at God for the injustice we see in the world, we must remember, He himself experienced the ultimate injustice. And yet, He did it out of love. Love for us.

It is worthwhile to pause, not just on Good Friday, but regularly, to consider the severity of sin. Not just the sin out there. But the sin in us. In me and in you. I would prefer to think of myself as “pretty good” overall, with some weaknesses and growth areas. But if that is truly who I am, then Jesus didn’t die for me. No. Here is the accurate truth: Jesus died because I needed a full-on rescue. He died because, left to myself, I am full of hate, selfishness, jealousy, greed, lust, and so on. Essentially, without God, I am full of anti-God tendencies. I want to take matters in my own hands and pursue life my way. But God, in His mercy, has not abandoned me. It is only by His grace and love that I have hope for a much better life. This may sound like I’m “beating myself up.” But, I am only speaking the truth about who I am without God and why I’m grateful for His sacrifice. Acknowledging Christ’s death on the cross involves taking a good hard look at why He needed to go there. Not to dwell on our guilt, but to recognize the tremendous gift we’ve received.

Who would you be without Jesus? What has He saved you from? What is He currently saving you from? Confession of those things brings honor and glory to your Father in heaven, who does not despise you, but receives you with loving welcome arms.

Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. God, thank you for sending your Son. Your love for me and for everyone is beyond my comprehension. Thank you for your love that moves you to rescue. Thank you that when you see us in our sin, you do not turn your back on us in disgust and horror. Thank you that instead, you come to us, moved by love, tenderly providing a way out. All we need to do is raise our faces to yours and say yes, Lord. Help. And thank you.