What Love is This?
The phrase, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” keeps coming to my mind. In scripture it says that the Lord had to turn his face away from his son, his only son. That the earth quaked, and darkness filled the land. That in the temple the curtain separating the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies tore in two. “My God” He says, “Why have you forsaken me?” As Jesus took his last breath, He gave up His Spirit to his Father. He descended into darkness and took on hell for three days. I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for Jesus, but also for the people in hell. Do you think people lined up to speak to him there? Do you think they pleaded with him to save their loved ones from that place? Or did they mock him, yelling curses and defaming his name? Whatever Jesus endured, He spent three days in darkness separated from His Father. Oh, I wonder how Abba mourned. He must have been heartbroken to not have had his son in his presence. To not hear his fervent prayers and to be able to whisper his name.
What love is this? Jesus literally stood in our place. Our sin put him in hell. Our chains dragged him to the depths no man shall ever return from, but Jesus did. On that third day He broke every chain and bondage that can hold us and defeated death, sin, and the grave! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise His name! To sin no more do I bow my knee but to Christ my King, the undefeated one. Holy, Holy, Holy, is His name! His white linen garments of praise wrapped around me! Hallelujah, hallelujah Jesus is victory! Love has robbed the grave! I’ve been set free! Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah! Mercy has returned to his mercy seat at the right hand of the Father. Together again, and never to be separated. For His payment ensues for all mankind forever and ever. Victory has made his home in all of humanity. From the least of us to the greatest we have freedom forever. Our blackened hearts God sees no more. For it has been purified by the blood of the lamb. Hallelujah, hallelujah for his crimson blood has made me clean! For I once walked in sin but now I walk in my clothes of righteousness as I come into the presence of my King. Hallelujah, hallelujah my daddy and I never to be separated again. For I am alive in Christ! For the God of the universe will never forsake me, for Jesus took that upon that tree. I can imagine God saying to Jesus as he hung there for you and me, my child my child I love you. I am always with you. Though I must turn my face for a moment I will never have to turn my face from all humanity because of your great sacrifice. For you will overcome the grave! You are my way maker! You have made a way for my children to find me on the ancient paths, the good way. Thank you, my son, for it is finished. My son, my son your sacrifice has saved my children for all generations. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! My son reigns! Hallelujah, hallelujah praise his name!
“For I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow.”
“For I will satisfy the weary soul and every languishing soul I will replenish.”
“I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people. For they shall all know me from the least to the greatest. For I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.”
Hallelujah, hallelujah He is risen! Hallelujah, hallelujah freedom reigns forevermore!
Verses:
Matthew 27:46; in reference to Psalm 22
Matthew 27:51
Jeremiah 6:16
Jeremiah 31: 13,25,33-34