Jesus--Need I Say More?

Isaiah 53  (Message Bible)
Who believes what we've heard and seen?
Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?

The servant grew up before God-----a scrawny seedling.
A scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away,
we looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried--
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures,
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him----our sins!
He took the punishment and that made us whole,
through his bruises we got healed.
We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost.
We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong
on him....on him.

He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn't say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered,
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off---
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
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It is all a bit over whelming when I think on the death of Christ.
When I read about all he went through.....
yet knowing he didn't have to, it is a bit overwhelming.
Knowing that Christ made himself a target for the wrath of God to be poured out one him because of my sin....it is overwhelming.
Knowing that with every selfish act I do.....
Every hateful word I say....
Every terrible thought I allow in my mind......
That is reason Jesus hung on that cross.

My sin!
Yet here on this Good Friday, I am overwhelmed at the love it took to walk the path Jesus did.
First off....
Love for his Father that he would carry out his wishes.
Second....
Love for a creation that hates him. Jesus died anyway for those who were yet to be brought unto salvation.
That is real love.
Here on this Good Friday....
And with the coming of Easter this Sunday....
Today I can proclaim with a heart of gratitude, the words to that old hymn.....

My sin, o' the bliss of this glorious thought....
My sin, not in part but the whole....
Has been nailed to cross and I bear it no more...
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! O my soul!!

It may be Good Friday.....
But Sunday's Coming!!!

God on you.....
mb