four-minute friday: he held both
January 30, 2009
Go.
I can’t shake this thought, even though it’s really hard for me to dwell on right now:
Jesus hung on that cross to take more than my own sins. He also hung there to carry the sins of others that hurt me deeply. And in that same instant, He hung there to carry the pain and sorrow I feel because of those sins against me.
In the very same moment, He held both. Wept for both. Bore the eternal burden of both.
So that both of us could be free.
Done.
@atangie says:
Hmm… so true. God does not take sides; that is phenomenal. Love is the only side he is on.
well said, gigi. well said.
i am reading a book called, “living the cross-centered life” & i had this exact conversation with some of my friends this past week. he bore the sins of his time, our time and all of time to come.
@cassgirl says:
mmmmm…. I re read this over and over again.
He loves me so deeply…
He loves my enemies…
He even loves my old tupperware…
This made me swallow hard and took my breath away.
But gave me peace and a fierceness to stand tall.
I’m speechless.
Well almost.
I’m struck by the tragic beauty of what Christ did.
I hate that you are tasting the bitterness of sin, but praise God for His sweet redemption.
@danielleH says:
lece,
what an awe-some thought. i’m always amazed that no matter how much He teaches me about love, the love He has is much deeper than i understand.
thank you for sharing.
beauty.
the only way to enter a relationship with Christ is to actuallly try to understand the cross.
or at least sit at the foot of the cross in hope.
I sometimes reflect, giggle and laugh about those “good ole’ days” of my past. I quickly lose the giggles and laughs when I picture Christ on the cross paying for my sins.
Thanks.
Well-said. Isn’t that amazing. I often remind myself when I am around people who hurt me or that I just don’t like that God loves them just as much as He loves me. That’s a huge lesson. I pray for that awareness, because no doubt, I am that person (the one someone doesn’t like or the one who hurts someone else) myself. Oh Lord that I may have Your eyes to see and be light and life, not death to someone else.
I really really REALLY needed to be reminded of this today. Thus why I’m sure I somehow ended up clickin on your blog first. THANK YOU!
Mercy is such an unpopular concept in this world, which makes the cross all that more believable. You post made me think back to the physical and emotional bruises of my childhood. If I see my late step-dad in heaven, and with his persistent baptist pastor it is quite likely, I will be seen hugging him.
Such a hard thought to grasp, yet so necessary for moving forward.
All sins…every one.
It may have taken longer, but you still pulled those words from your heart. And those are the best words I have seen in a long, long time.
It was with a very bittersweet acceptance that I realized these same truths: that Jesus died for the my friend who committed suicide because she was sexually abused AND for the one(s) who had sexually abused her.
Christianity ain’t easy.
But it beats self-hated, bitterness, and blind rage, that’s for dang sure.
@moweezle says:
Beautiful. What He did for us all, and how u said it.
good thoughts Alece. I get why this post would have taken longer to get out.
It’s that darn human-ness of mine that sometiems gets in the way of what I know to be true. Great reminder, friend.
Thank you for sharing words that yet again, get right to my heart.
I’ve recently found out that someone I work with that I thought was a friend has been stealing from me. Not huge stuff, but enough where I feel (obviously) angry and betrayed, especially since I know the Lord put her on my heart to walk alongside and be in relationship with.
So, God is teaching me major things through this….. for starters, am I even 10% as sickened by my OWN sin as I am by hers? Hello…..
I’m so grateful when He brings things from head knowledge to heart knowledge. I am grateful for this experience, because it’s given me a deeper understanding of my own sin, and what that cost Him. And to fellowship in His sufferings.
Still praying, Alece.
So good, Alece. I think when we really grasp this – it creates in us the ability to freely forgive others. The revelation … comes slowly at times.
@traceepersiko says:
honey to my soul friend
Wow.
this is… a lot. a heavy thought (rhyme not intentional) i don’t think i’ve ever really thought about this, though of course i suppose i knew it. but i don’t think i’ve let myself dwell on this side of the cross. it’s somewhere i needed to go.
oh the deep, deep love of Jesus. vast, unmeasured, boundless, free. rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me. underneath me, all around me is the current of thy love.
…. i love that, as long as i live, there will always be things for me to learn, different aspects of love and grace for me to grasp. thank you for pulling this out.
I battle this a lot. Like as I comfort those and feed those who are hungry and dying here…and then as I get all worked up and irritated and mad about it and all the emotions rage and flare…and then the peace to love “them” then the peace that comes when He is loving me in spite of “them” in spite of me…yeah…I don’t understand any of it, but I understand enough.
i have loved all your input on this. thanks, everybody!