The Saddest Day in History

No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the soul like the scene on Calvary.
 Nowhere does the soul find such consolation as on that very spot where misery reigned,
where woe triumphed, where agony reached its climax."
[C. H. Spurgeon]

Agony indeed reached its climax on the day that our Lord died. The hope of generations, the promised One, the Messiah was hanging on a tree of shame. The hope of humankind seemed lost to those who had followed Him and were now witnessing His end. I grew up in a tradition that tended to gloss over the despair of this day, focusing instead on the triumphant entry of Palm Sunday and moving straight into the victory of the Resurrection at Easter. The cross was identified and celebrated throughout the year, but no special time was given on Good Friday to fully consider the weight of its implications. The gospel of Matthew records that Jesus’ soul was “…overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death”(Matt. 26:38) during the hours leading up to the crucifixion. It is in the observance and consideration of the events of Good Friday that we are reminded that Jesus came not only to save, but in order to do so, had to suffer on our behalf.

He Shared in Our Suffering

Isaiah describes Jesus as a “man of sorrows” and indeed the gospel accounts are full of examples of His grief and suffering. However, during the hours leading up to and during his death, Christ endured such immeasurable sorrow that our humble consideration can only appreciate it in part. Beginning at midnight as Jesus went into the garden to pray, Good Friday was the twenty four hour period in which Christ met with indescribable suffering on our behalf. He suffered, teaching us how to respond to our own suffering. During the time in the garden, we see the Savior go first to the Lord in isolation with the Father. We witness how isolating and depressing suffering can be. Jesus was alone in His suffering and openly grieved, asking for another way. In the public square, we see Christ deal humbly and submissively to His accusers. He neither defends His reputation, nor does He lash out in violence against them. On the cross, we see the Savior continuing to serve others: He takes time to consider His mother and the thief even in His greatest agony. There are many other lessons to receive in the careful observance of Christ’s suffering. In our times of suffering we can look to the example He set for us and be comforted that our high priest knew our grief. On Good Friday, we can find comfort that Christ shared in our suffering and therefore respond by sharing in the grief of others.

He Bore Our Sins

Not only did He bear our sorrows, but Isaiah states that He was crushed for our sins. Our punishment was piled on Jesus at the cross and the weight of it was described to have a crushing effect. The anticipation of the burden of bearing the weight of our sins caused the Savior twice to seek another way to reach reconciliation with man. He ultimately submitted to the Father’s will and faced the cross and the sins of man. The Father had to forsake the Son as He cried out to Him from the cross. Peter said that He bore our sins in His body, why? He bore our sins on that tree so that we would die to sin, so that we could be reconciled to the Father. When we consider the cross and the weight of our sin resting upon Him who knew no sin, we have a responsibility to respond. Our response to the cross is one of obedience, a death to the fulfillment of self and sin. The cross reminds us that with Christ we have died, we have died to sin and are born in righteousness. Continuing to sin, Hebrews says, profanes the blood of the Covenant. On Good Friday, we remember the weight of sin that brings death and commit to live in the righteousness Christ won for us.

Hope That Sunday is Coming

For those who accompanied Jesus in His time on earth, this Friday seemed anything but good. The hope they had in Christ’s ministry on earth had ended. They couldn’t see that His ministry would continue on this earth through them. We, however, have the benefit of seeing Good Friday through the lens of the Resurrection. Good Friday becomes a celebration to those who know the rest of the story. By reflecting on the suffering of Christ, we are reminded of His great sacrifice and are compelled to respond. We can also look to the promise of His resurrection to keep hope in a broken and sinful world. Good Friday helps us to recall that amidst the agonies of this life, there is great hope that the final victory is coming. That is good news! Not only should we look to this future for our own benefit, but we should share this hope with those who are suffering all around us. On Good Friday, we can share the good news that there is hope for this life and a new life to come!

Melody Powell lives in Clinton, NC, with her husband Nelson and five year old daughter Lily. She currently is pursuing an MA in Women’s Studies and hopes to minister to foster children who are transitioning into adult life out of the system. She attends The Vine Fellowship, a church plant, where she serves children and the women of the church, and assists in leading worship.

Last Monday night we had a great group of ladies attend Project:Compassion.  We are so thankful for each of you that attend Connecting Point events.  Thanks for coming out on such a cold and rainy night!

We started out the night hearing from Dr. Steve McKinion.  He shared great insights into suffering, and how to suffer well.  He walked us through their suffering with their youngest son's battle with leukemia, and different ways that their eyes have been opened to this new world.  To hear more about Dr. McKinion and his family check out his blog. 

Mrs. Ginger McKinion then shared some personal stories of how they have been ministered to during the past year and a half.  We are so thankful for their families transparency through everything that they have faced.  Ginger's honesty and realness was so engaging, and attendees were able to get an inside look at what it looks like day to day dealing with the in's and out's of having a child with cancer.  She also shared some very practical tips on what to say (or not say) to families when dealing with suffering, and tangible things you can do for people to show you care.  A great idea that she shared was to give gas cards and gift cards .  This was relevant for their family because they are on the road back and forth from the cancer center so much. Both Steve and Ginger stressed how prayer really does mean so much to families when they are going through hard times. 

Hearing from the McKinion's was the highlight of the night! If only we would have had a few more hours to hear from them and ask questions! :)

After listening to the McKinion's the attendees had a chance to write encouraging cards to different families who are in the midst of suffering.  Three families were actually friends of the McKinion's that they have been able to meet and form frienships through Harrison at the children's cancer center.  Other families included some of our own SEBTS faculty, the Merkle's and the Black's.  Ladies also had an opportunity to write notes to nurses that work in the cancer center where Harrison gets his treatment.  Our goal is writing the letters was to do something tangible to show compassion for those hurting around us right then.  Writing a note is so simple, and takes such little time, but can make such an impact.
 

We ended the night with sweet worship led by Josh and Pam.  There is just something about singing all together praises to God that really brings your heart to a place of pure worship.  

We pray that attendees were able to walk away with their eyes opened to how to show compassion to those that are hurting.  It was a great night!

Mark your calendars for Monday, May 6th for our final Connecting Point event of the year.  Project:Commission will be a special time of prayer and encouragement for the female students and wives that are leaving for overseas missions this year.  You do not want to miss this event!

Today we hear from the Whitfield's on Part Two of our What's the Big Deal About Easter? series for this month. To see {Part One} of the series click here.  Read below to hear more about Considering Christ’s Atonement for Our Sins.

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24)

When is the last time you considered that Jesus suffered for you?

Let's Hear From Keith:

I think we are inclined to think about Jesus dying for sins and for the world, which are 100% right, but we can miss the personal significance sometimes if all we do is relate his death to sins and redeeming all people, everywhere. Peter does not allow us to do that in 1 Peter 2:21. He says Christ suffers for you.

The term used for "suffered" in a general term that basically means "to experience something." Nearly always, however, in the New Testament, it is used in the unfavorable and specific sense of suffering death. When we consider that the perfect son of God, the King of kings suffered for us, it provokes a question (at least for me): What did his suffering consist of? What did he experience for me?

Well, his suffering is described for us the Gospel narratives, and Peter summarizes it for us in 1 Peter 2. What we discover is Jesus experienced physical and spiritual suffering. He suffered at the hands of barbarous captors, and experienced the physical brutality of crucifixion. But He suffered spiritually, too. Verse 24 says, "he bore our sins in his body on the tree." That came with being cursed (Dt. 21:23; Gal. 3:13).

In the face of the physical pain, public insult, and spiritual affliction, Peter says that even while suffering, “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” (v. 22; quoting Isaiah 53:9) This is quite astounding. Jesus had not committed a crime worthy of a cruel death, and for that matter, He committed no sin at all.

As we addressed last week, if we don't acknowledge Jesus' sinlessness, we miss one of the central truths of the Christian faith—that Jesus became a man, that He was subject to temptation, but that He never sinned. He always did what the Father wanted Him to (John 5:19). Jesus' own obedience could not be expressed in a more faith-inspiring way than the way Peter says. He says, in the midst suffering, Jesus “continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”

The key reason for understanding that Jesus was sinless is that a sinful man cannot offer himself as a sacrifice before a holy God on behalf of another sinful person. But, Jesus, who was tempted and tried, and yet sinless, could intervene. He can bring us to God (1 Pet. 3:18; Tim. 2:5).

Consider what it must have been like for Jesus to take our sins upon himself. Remember, what these sins do and have done to us. Sin wages full assault against our souls (2:11). We are held under bondage to it. Sin corrupts our minds, tossing us to and fro (Eph. 3:17-19, 14). Sin obscures our understanding of reality (Rom. 1:21). Sin leads to futile and purposeless life (1 Pet. 1:18). Our sins have damaged relationships, and lead us to chasing time-wasting passion (Tit. 3:8). In sin, we live under the reign and rule of death and God’s condemnation (Rom. 5:12-21, Heb. 2:14). We sin because we ignore God and fail to worship Him. Our sins have twisted our lives. He suffered for all of those things, and suffered them.

Now we come to purpose Jesus’ sacrificial death:

Jesus, the sinless One, bore our sins in His body. Theological term alert. . . the big term for this is "Penal Substitutionary Atonement." That big idea refers the fact that Jesus stood in our place (Substitution) and took the penalty (Penal) for our sins (Atonement).

Jesus did this for our good. Peter explains it in clear terms:

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (2:24)

This point is easy to miss. Jesus died, yes, to provide forgiveness for sins and grant eternal life. BUT, He wants to do more, and His death accomplishes even more. He died to remove our sins from us and to make us righteous.

For Peter, bearing the cross isn't just for Jesus. It is for us, too. Remember, verse 21, “for to this you have been called [namely, to follow Jesus].” This is what Peter heard his Master teach time and time again:

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." (Luke 9:23-24)

Jesus took up His cross and died in order to give life. For us, taking up our cross consists of dying to our old selfish, sinful way of life and then following Jesus wherever He leads us, in Peter's words -- "that we might die to sins and live to righteousness" (2:24).

Let's Hear From Amy:

The first time I ever heard the term “substitutionary atonement,” I knew I was in over my head. This was something that the smart, theologian types talked about and they were way out of my league. I would smile and nod, act like I was getting it, and keep moving with the conversation.

It’s easy for terms to intimidate us, but the idea was never meant to do that. The idea was meant to free us. He took everything I deserved onto Himself, and I stand completely clean. That doesn’t intimidate me intellectually. That overwhelms me emotionally.

For me, this is a concept that at one time was only considered during times of worship. Now, to be sure, considering it at these times is the good and appropriate. When I am in corporate worship, hearing the preaching of the Word or singing praises to Him, that is absolutely the thing that I would want to focus on. When I am in private reflection or prayer, the atonement is my reason to approach Him and the focus of my gratitude. The great sacrifice that He made for me is the reason for my worship.

But how does this atonement matter in my daily life, when I am “going and doing”? My tendency can sometimes be to worship him with my thoughts toward what He has done for me, but then to let my actions come from what I think I can do for Him. And every time I have gone down that road, it has led to discouragement. I run out of steam on my to-do list. I buckle under the pressures of daily struggle. I am no match for suffering when it comes my way. And then I don’t know where to turn.

But that’s the point of the atonement, and why I needed it. There is nothing I can do for Him. And Paul said something in his letter to the Romans which brings me back, every time, and points me to the cross: “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Everything that happens to me can’t be for my bad. It has to be for my good. And He isn’t looking at me wondering, “What great thing will you do for Me?” He is telling me, “This is what I have done for you. Now you are free.” He isn’t waiting for me to become perfect by myself. I can die to sin and live to righteousness because He stood in my place.

This doesn’t mean that life doesn’t bring challenges. It does, however, mean that I can live through them knowing that the weight of sin will not kill me. He stood in my place and took care of my greatest need, so I am free to no longer worry about myself, and to pick up my cross and follow Him without fear or anxiety.

Yes, when I hear the term “substitutionary atonement,” I still feel like I am in over my head. Because I am. And that’s where I want to stay—hidden in Him, completely covered by what He has done for me.

Keith & Amy Whitfield live in Wake Forest, NC, where Keith teaches Systematic Theology at SEBTS.  Keith previously served as pastor of Waverly Baptist Church in Waverly, Virginia, in the years 2005 to 2010, and from 2010 until 2012, they lived in Nashville, TN, where Keith taught at a liberal arts college and helped to train church leaders. Amy loves teaching and writing, and has a passion for women to be transformed by the gospel in their daily lives.  Amy currently serves as Assistant to Charlotte Akin,  and also assists in other areas with research and writing.  Amy and Keith have two children: Mary (age 9) and Drew (age 7).

Today's post is written by our dear friend, Andrea Allard.  We are so thankful to have her share some words of encouragement on loving even when it's difficult!

I know that this may be hard to believe, but sometimes people are difficult. We are told to love all people in the Bible and that is where it gets tricky. Loving the difficult means stepping outside of your comfort zone and meeting the person where they are at. It is humbling and many times uncomfortable, but our example is Jesus. He went to the sick and hurting, so we must not be afraid to put ourselves out for others. Often it costs us more than we want to pay in emotional turmoil, but what is a little struggle on this planet when we have eternity to spend with the Lord?

Ministry is a life calling and never ends. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing is ministry. The church is filled with people who are hurting - even if they do not admit it. Just think, most people do not meet with the pastor and his wife because all things are going splendidly. It is pain and hurt that usually drives them to seek spiritual solace. At this point in their lives, they can be difficult due to their life circumstances. This is when it is crucial to bring openness and a listening heart to provide the one thing that most people need when they are suffering: Hope.

Loving the difficult is a choice and it must be made every day. All encounters we have with others can be viewed as opportunities to grow and stretch ourselves more into the likeness of Christ. With this positive attitude and an open, approachable spirit, we can reach out to the difficult in the power of Christ to make an eternal impact on their lives as well as experience a deepening commitment of love and obedience to our Lord.

Monday night we had a full house as we learned more about the sex-trafficking world and spent intentional time in prayer for those who are involved in this horrific practice.  Read on for a brief recap of what we learned... 

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9

We began the evening hearing from Kimberly Merida.  Kimberly, is the wife of Dr. Tony Merida, who is the Pastor at Imago Dei Church in Raleigh and a professor here at SEBTS. Kimberly is very involved with IJM (International Justice Mission) and is an intelligent teacher and advocate for the victims of sex-trafficking.  To say that she started out the night amazingly would be an understatement.  Kimberly is such a wonderful speaker, and she genuinely speaks from her heart.  As she spoke Monday night, it was impossible to not feel burdened for those involved in this practice.  Kimberly explained what sex-trafficking is, why we need to be aware of this practice, and how we can be part of the movement to end it.  You can read a full post on exactly what Kimberly talked on by visiting her blog.  Click here to visit Kimberly's blog.

After Kimberly spoke, attendees spent some time painting one of their nails the color red in remembrance of the victims of sex-trafficking.  This is to be a constant reminder to pray for the men, women, and children involved in the trade daily.  It is our prayer that this will encourage our ladies to make an intentional effort to pray for those in the Red Light Districts around the world.  

We had our first ever Skype date at this event.  It was a blast!  Save Our Sisters, an organization out of Winston-Salem, NC, is made up of seven high school girls who are passionate about living for Christ and putting an end to slavery around the world.  They shared how their organization began and what they are doing now.  These ladies were amazing!  Smiles overcame all of our faces as we were able to hear from young girls who are fervently serving the Lord.  Go and check out their story and how you can be a part of it by clicking here.

WAR (Women At Risk),  International representative Jenny Parker was at the event selling many beautiful items, including jewelry, scarves, and other gift items. WAR, International unites and educates women to create circles of protection and hope around women at risk through culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects. If you were not able to buy any items and would like to do so you can visit the online store by clicking here.

For our giveaways at this event we were able to give away a few pieces of jewelry from WAR, International as well as a book donated by the The White Umbrella campaign.  Congrats to our giveaway winners! 

We ended the night with some time of intentional prayer and a sweet time of worship.  Over 80 women praying for the victims, the workers, and all of those involved brought tears to many of our ladies eyes.  There is just something unexplainable to hear the prayers of many pleading before the Lord.  It was such a sweet, sweet time.  Members from the Imago Dei Church praise team led us in worship as the night closed.  Thank you ladies for sharing your gifts with us and leading us to the throne.

Project:Captive was such a great event, and we are so thankful for everyone who came.  Mark your calendars for our next Connecting Point event, Monday, March 18th.  At our next event, Project:Compassion, we will hear from  
Dr. Steve McKinion and talk more about how we can love and reach those who are hurting around us.  

Check back tomorrow to find yourself in pictures from Project:Captive!

K.J. Nally's blog, Answers of Truth
Oct. 6, 2011

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

Every month was a physical reminder of what happened. Every month my emotions warred against my heart of what I knew to be Truth. Why wasn’t this easier? And why did each month seem to force me on an emotional roller coaster? I felt God’s presence in midst of the storm…why did He seem so far off now? Yet, I know He is beside me, guiding me, holding me up by my right arm. His Word promises He will never leave. He always seeks His glory and the good of those who love Him. Yes, I know that is Truth…help me Lord to believe it.

 These words from Psalm 73 are salve to the broken soul. Honestly, it’s been a tough year. My flesh failed me and then my heart was broken in a million pieces. 

On Sunday, October 2^nd it would have been our little baby's due date. Lil’ Bean we called him. I was 9 weeks pregnant when I had a miscarriage—my flesh failed. 

The Story of Lil’ Bean

Nine weeks went by and I was feeling so good. We joked that maybe there wasn’t a baby in my “belly” because I didn’t feel pregnant. Sure, I was tired and ate everything in sight, but I felt great. Excitedly, we arrived at the doctor…it would be Lil’ Bean’s First Picture (ultrasound). As we sat in the room waiting for the doctor, we gave each other a high five and then pumped the air three times toward Heaven, giving God three high fives because this was His perfect work, not ours. We had determined from the first day God blessed us with our baby to have “open hands.” This was God’s little one, entrusted to us to raise Him to be a worshiper of God. The doctor came in and talked for awhile about what to expect and hospital protocol—then it was time for “Baby’s First Picture.”

Silence. This isn’t what an ultrasound was supposed to look like, I thought. Where was my baby? The picture was white with only a small black circle. No heart beat. The doctor didn’t need to say anything, we knew. And our hearts broke. The doctor left the room after a short explanation of what would happen over the next few days. She told me not to blame myself. But, in that moment as my world spun out of control I couldn’t stop the thoughts. I wept in my husband’s strong arms. Slowly I met his gaze and said, “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” He knew what I meant and grabbed my tear stained face. “Don’t you dare go there,” he sternly warned. “Don’t you dare take credit for what God is doing.” I knew the truth…God was in control, He was faithful, and He was good. But, could I believe that in this moment?

Yes. I could.

When we lost our baby, we cried to the point of exhaustion. It was so sweet falling in love with our first child. It gave us a small glimpse of how God loves us and how His heart must break when people die before knowing their Father; miscarried for eternity. The day after we lost our baby, I prayed to God for strength to praise Him even when I hurt so deeply. I have never felt the nearness of my Lord like I did in the midst of this pain. And even when I felt emotionally drained and spiritually broken the months that followed, He gave me the strength to praise Him even through the pain. You can read the prayer I wrote to God after the miscarriage here.

We still have moments of sadness of what could have been, but we must remind ourselves of truth; preach to ourselves. The truth is that God is good. He is in absolute control for His glory and our best.

What do we do with pain and trials…When God seems far, how do we continue holding onto our faith? 

We must TRUST.

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 24:6).

Trust that God is true and His Word is Truth (Ps. 53:1; Col. 1:15-23; 1 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12).

Trust that God loves his children more than we can fathom (1 Jn 3:1; 1 Jn. 4:19; Rom. 8:38-39).

Trust that God wants the best for us, just as any parent does on earth…though He is much wiser (Rom. 8:28-30; 2 Pt. 1:2-10; Jer. 17:8).

Trust that God’s way brings Him the most glory (Ps. 19:1; Ps. 108:4-6; Lk. 2:14).

Trust that God never leaves us alone in pain, but holds our hand and walks with us (Ps. 90:10; Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5).
Trust that God will one day take all pain away when we are with Him in eternity (Jn. 16:33; Jn. 10:10; Rev. 21:4).

Trust that God is good…ALL the time! (Ps. 84; Ps. 73:1; Mk. 10:18).

My pain-filled emotions were good, just not trustworthy. I had to constantly go back to Truth - that these trials are making me more like Jesus for the glory of God!

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

Know God intimately…before a trial hits. Do not blame God or turn from Him in anger, but cling to the one who died for you so that He could comfort you forever in eternity. David said in Psalm 90:10, “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Seek Him friends…Trust Him…see that He is good, even (and especially) in times of pain.

These words from J. C. Ryle have brought me much encouragement:

“Reader, if God has given you His only begotten Son, beware of doubting His kindness and love, in any painful providence of your daily life! Never allow yourself to think hard thoughts of God. Never suppose that He can give you anything which is not really for your good. Remember the words of Paul: ‘He who spared not His own Son—but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things’ (Romans 8:32).

See in every sorrow and trouble of your earthly pilgrimage the hand of Him who gave Christ to die for your sins! That hand can never smite you except in love! He who gave His only begotten Son for you, will never withhold anything from you which is really for your good. Lean back on this thought and be content. Say to yourself in the darkest hour of trial, ‘This also is ordered by Him who gave Christ to die for my sins. It cannot be wrong. It is done in love. It must be well.’"

John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Amen!

K.J. Nally is a writer, teacher, and counselor. She is pursuing her master’s degree in Biblical Counseling, concentrating in women's ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. K.J. and her husband, Dustin, have a passion to fight for Godly marriages, spur on teens to seek purity, and encourage men and women to live obediently to their Creator God.

K.J. and Dustin are marriage and individual counselors at Hope Counseling Center through their church, North Wake. They also work with Converting Hearts Ministries,’ a Christ-centered addictions ministry.

K.J. is also a freelance journalist. Check out more about Christian Living at K.J.’s blog, Answers of Truth.

Reblogged from Radical Womenhood
by Carolyn McCulley
April 6, 2007

A good friend of mine is undergoing serious surgery today, and I am understandably distracted in my concern for her. She is the subject of many prayers as she is deeply loved by many.

Her suffering is inexplicable in many ways, but I can testify that God has been using it. One of the most obvious fruits in her life is that she is not identified by her suffering, but rather by her passion for Christ. In fact, sometimes I have to remind myself that she is indeed seriously sick for she does not wear her illness as a badge.

We are praying to One who has known far more suffering and injustice. Jesus suffered incredible physical torture while being flogged and hung on the cross, nailed through fragile appendages and left to suffocate by the weight of His own body. But that must have paled in comparison to bearing the just punishment from the Father for the sins of those He came to save. The cross is the answer to that question we whisper in the dark night of the soul--"Why, God?" The cross is our justice for the grievous ways we've been sinned against, for God is not an unjust God. Sin will be punished: either it will be visited upon a Savior who was our sinless substitute, or it will be visited upon those who committed the sin.

Since we have all sinned and fall short of God's perfect standard, the cross is our glorious and divine rescue. What we could not atone for on our own has been paid for by our Lord Jesus Christ, for those who repent and trust Him for this awesome gift. Because mercy triumphs at the cross, it is also our greatest hope--especially in times of great trials or suffering.

That is my attempt to articulate the reason we celebrate Good Friday and why my friend can be joyful in the midst of tremendous suffering. But I've never found a more heart-wrenching portrait than that found in When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes. The first time I heard these words, they were read aloud in a sermon by my pastor, C.J. Mahaney. No one was dry-eyed by the end. It is a powerful recounting of what Scripture teaches us. For those of you who know the profound truth of this scene, may you rejoice in what has been done on your behalf. And if you are suffering, may this account refresh your faith. If, however, you have not yet put your trust in this divine exchange and repented of the sins that separate you from God, I pray that the Lord will open your eyes and heart, just as He did unexpectedly for me one Easter several years ago.

The Savior was now thrown to men quite different from the eleven. The face that Moses had begged to see--was forbidden to see--was slapped bloody (Exodus 33:19-20). The thorns that God had sent to curse the earth's rebellion now twisted around his own brow. His back, buttocks, and the rear of his legs felt the whip--soon they looked like the plowed Judean fields outside the city. . . .

"On your back with you!" One raises a mallet to sink in the spike. But the soldier's heart must continue pumping as he readies the prisoner's wrist. Someone must sustain the soldier's life minute by minute, for no man has this power on his own. Who supplies breath to his lungs? Who gives energy to his cells? Who holds his molecules together? Only by the Son do "all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). The victim wills that the soldier live on--he grants the warrior's continued existence. The man swings. . . .

But these pains are a mere warm-up to his other and growing dread. He begins to feel a foreign sensation. Somewhere during this day an unearthly foul odor began to waft, not around his nose, but his heart. He feels dirty. Human wickedness starts to crawl upon his spotless being--the living excrement from our souls. The apple of his Father's eye turns brown with rot.

His Father! He must face his Father like this!
From heaven the Father now rouses himself like a lion disturbed, shakes his mane, and roars against the shriveling remnant of a man hanging on a cross. Never has the Son seen the Father look at him so, never felt even the least of his hot breath. But the roar shakes the unseen world and darkens the visible sky. The Son does not recognize these eyes.

"Son of Man! Why have you behaved so? You have cheated, lusted, stolen, gossiped--murdered, envied, hated, lied. You have cursed, robbed, overspent, overeaten--fornicated, disobeyed, embezzled, and blasphemed. Oh, the duties you have shirked, the children you have abandoned! Who has ever so ignored the poor, so played the coward, so belittled my name? Have you ever held your razor tongue? What a self-righteous, pitiful drunk--you, who molest young boys, peddle killer drugs, travel in cliques, and mock your parents. Who gave you the boldness to rig elections, foment revolutions, torture animals, and worship demons? Does the list never end! Splitting families, raping virgins, acting smugly, playing the pimp--buying politicians, practicing extortion, filming pornography, accepting bribes. You have burned down buildings, perfected terrorist tactics, founded false religions, traded in slaves--relishing each morsel and bragging about it all. I hate, I loathe these things in you! Disgust for everything about you consumes me! Can you not feel my wrath?"

The Father watches as his heart's treasure, the mirror-image of himself, sinks drowning into raw, liquid sin. Jehovah's stored rage against humankind from every century explodes in a single direction.

"Father! Father! Why have you forsaken me?!"

But heaven stops its ears. The Son stares up at the One who cannot, who will not, reach down or reply. Two eternal hearts tear--their intimate friendship shaken to the depths.
The Trinity had planned it. The Son endured it. The Spirit enabled him. The Father rejected the Son whom he loved. Jesus, the God-man from Nazareth, perished. The Father accepted his sacrifice for sin and was satisfied. The Rescue was accomplished. . .

This is who asks us to trust him when he calls on us to suffer.