From C. J. Mahaney’s, Living the Cross Centered Life
Knowing the hour for His death is fast approaching, Jesus has come here in need as never before of His Father’s comfort and strength. Instead, hell – utter separation from God – is thrust in His face.
We hear Him cry out: Father – is there an alternative? Is there any way to avoid this? If there’s a way this cup could pass from Me, would You please provide that to Me?
Silence. We can see it in His face – Jesus receives no answer to this desperate entreaty.
A second time He pleads for an alternative to that horror of abandonment by His Father. If such an alternative existed, the Father would most surely provide it. But the obedient Son’s plea to his loving Father is met with silence. Why?
Listen to this verse again for the very first time: For God so loved the world…that He is silent to His Son’s agonizing appeal.
This is what bearing our sin means to Him – utter distress of soul as He confronts total abandonment and absolute wrath from His Father on the cross, a distress and an abandonment and a rejection we cannot begin to grasp.
In this, our Savior’s darkest hour…do you recognize His love for you?
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The following song by Stuart Townend is so fitting in describing what God has accomplished for us through His beautiful Son, Jesus. May God fill all of us full and fresh with these truths this Easter weekend and let us “recognize His love for us”. Blessings on your thoughts of Him!
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
by Stuart Townend
How deep the father’s love for us,
how vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son,
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns his face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold a man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powers, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Thank you for a beautifully told post …
Oh Ellen – this is so beautiful and fitting. That song brings me to me knees – it’s so meaningful. Thank you and have a wonderful Easter. Hugs!
Profound post…that is a beautiful song. A blessed Easter weekend to you and yours.
Beautiful post…beautiful song! It is one of my favorites…especially when my daughter sings it.
On our way to Tenn recently, about 10 mins from our son’s house, both children got unhappy. She started to sing this and Little E started singing it with her ( you know a word or two in each line!) and Little C got perfectly quiet! She kept singing until we arrived at the house. I told her that was another reason to be thankful for “the Father’s love for us”! 🙂
Thank you, Ellen, for such a vivid and clear picture of what our Savior went through for us! Blessings on you and your loved ones, wherever they are.
One of my favourite songs, the same one we sang in this morning’s service. Love to see all the lyrics posted here, something to dwell on. Thanks , Ellen.
Thank you for posting this song. We sang it this morning as well at our combined Langley service,1600 voices lifted up this wonderful truth. How Great Our Father’s Love For Us!! This truly is the message of Easter.