A Cross of Wrath

Who can withstand his indignation?

Who can endure his fierce anger?

His wrath is poured out like fire;

the rocks are shattered before him.

[Nah 1:6]

I often romanticize the Cross . . . Calvary. It's a dangerous, shameful, and most unfortunate thing to do. To treat casually, the instrument of my Lord’s death. Let's look closer on top of the skull. It is the WRATH of GOD   P.O.U.R.E.D.   O.U.T.!

God unleashed His hatred toward all humanities sin—from the beginning of time to its end—accumulated sin. The most heinous of crimes and wicked atrocities judged and adjudicated. All punished in that one perfect, atoning act.

And what of the wrath of God? Do you recall the written records of righteous judgments exacted in history? Here it is released and channeled.

"He bore the full, unmitigated brunt of it.

God's wrath against sin was unleashed

in all its fury on His beloved Son.

He held nothing back."

~Jerry Bridges

Have you ever stood back and looked at the aftermath of your sin? Not just the immediate consequences in this time and space but back to Golgotha's Hill? Imagine the horror? The slaughter? The spilled blood of an innocent, sinless man is the result.

Appalling

I'm the guilty one, the God-Offender. I’m the condemned sinner. Yet those in Christ were the released prisoners set free the day of Pilates offer—condemned no more.

Preposterous

I was reprieved from the punishing blows and death sentence. Precious Jesus suffered them Himself. He was the one found legally guilty and punished. Jesus was made sin for us and God passed full judgment upon that sin.

Amazing

God's anger was visible that Crucifixion Friday. He withdrew His light and blackened the skies. The earth thundered and shook and the heavens rumbled.

Just the eve before, the angels ministered to His Son in the Garden; but now, as His Beloved Son cried out in anguish, the heavens were silent.

When I look upon the Cross, I too easily forget the harsh wrath of God exacted there—upon my Lord, my friend.


Forgive me Blessed, Holy Jesus. Forgive my sin, my rebellion, my disobedience that placed You on that Cross. Forgive my sin that You took upon Yourself. All the weight of all my sin. One time for all time. The full force of all God's wrath and hate of it fell upon You. Thank You for Your great mercy upon this sinner. Help me realize more fully the death You suffered for me. May I be ever-changed by it. Amen.

Photo compliments of LostSeed.com