I've been a parent for over 5 years. I love my boys. I have a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old. They are great boys and I wouldn't trade them for anything. We are so blessed to have them and look forward to many yearg with them.
Recently, watching THE BIBLE on the History Channel has been quite an experience. I know the story of Abraham and Isaac very well. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son to Him. Abraham headed out with only Isaac, some wood and fire, and a knife. Isaac wondered what animal they would sacrifice. Eventually God supplies a real lamb and Isaac is saved.
But to see it on my TV?! Wow. That was nuts. To actually live it in my living room. Horrible. I can't imagine what I would have done. To kill your own son for someone else? I fear God. I love God. I serve God. But wow.
So now fast forward to Jesus. Same story really. Except it's not for God, it's for people like you and me. And this time, there is no animal. It is someone's kid. A 33-year-old kid, but still a boy. God's Son.
This is why Good Friday is the worst day ever. I understand that it's necessary and I'm beyond thankful. I see the "good" in Good Friday. I get it. But don't tell me that God allowing His Son to die for someone else doesn't overwhelm every parent reading this. I've heard it say like this: It's like your son is getting beat up, stabbed, cut up...and you're 10 feet away with a gun...and you let it happen. You turn away. That's where that "Father, Father, why have you forsaken me?" comes into play. It's truly awful.
Can you believe that?! He did that for you. How much does God love you?! Holy cow! If that doesn't make every one of us 1) overwhelmingly grateful and 2) sad that we ever caused this and 3) want to respond with everything we have...if it doesn't make you do that, you're not breathing. Or maybe you're just not a parent yet.
This blog really is for parents. I appreciated Christ's death for many years. It was still an awful thing. But now? You want to slaughter my son? You want to kill my boys? No way. I'll take you out.
But God didn't do that. He let it happen. Momentary pain for an eternal reward.
We must respond. Have you responded? Happy Good Friday.
