Below is the post for day 5 in a 3-week series about resurrection and new life at vinetobranches.com… sharing a few thoughts about the crucifixion of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Before resurrection could be the glorious reality that it is, death had to come first.

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of GOD.” (Hebrews 12:2, ESV)

“Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him as they beat Him. They also blindfolded Him and kept asking Him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?’ And they said many other things against Him, blaspheming Him.” (Luke 22:63-65, ESV)

How could they bind those hands that always served, always healed (and had just healed their own servant’s severed ear), always altered lives with just a touch?

How could they look into His eyes that expressed only love for them and abuse Him so cruelly? They couldn’t, so they blindfolded Him.

My heart aches. My stomach turns. The harsh reality of these moments is not easy to think about. Sin is complicated and ugly and brutal. No one but our Savior could stand in that gap for us.

But beyond all human suffering, unfathomable as it is, He was “forsaken by GOD!” A beloved Son, who was always in communion with His Father, was separated from GOD by my sin, enduring the wrath of a righteous and holy GOD against my sin. “Forsaken by GOD” is something I will never know because of what Jesus did for me.

“My GOD, my GOD, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm 22:1, ESV)

“But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, ESV)

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished,’ and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30, ESV)

There really are no words—just awe and wonder mixed with sorrow. The details of that scene are staggering. It is hard to linger in these thoughts, but I don’t want to brush past them either. It is in this sorrow that I can appreciate more fully how much Jesus loves me, how much He loves His Father, what obedience to His Father and love for me cost Him. I offer Him only feeble expressions of a heart touched and overflowing with gratitude.

And as I hold deeply to that gratitude, may He help me to step into His joy in the words “It is FINISHED!” and “He is RISEN, just as He said!”

My LORD JESUS, I thank You and praise You—it’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!