Easter 2012

The older I get the more into Easter I get, the more it becomes one of my favorite holidays. The song "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" is such a powerful song- sang at the end of every Good Friday Service at Hope- a man with soul changing deep voice and a set of drums. Thats its. The lights are off, there is the last scene from Passions of The Christ on the big screen, silenced and its amazing. Really reminds us about what Easter is about.

One of the things I like to think about at this time is not only what Jesus did for us but about what it had to have been like to be one of the people there. His mother, for instance. How desperate she must have felt. How gut wrenching it must have been to watch your child tortured. It brings me to tears.

I never understood the part in the story where Christ says "My father, why have you forsaken me?" And it always made me question how we say that God never leaves nor forsakes us....and yet, he did just that to his Son- or so it seemed. But this year, on Black Friday they talked about how that pain, watching your son in that sort of moment- was probably so intensely horrific, for a God who feels our pains and anguish that he possibly had to look away. I cannot imagine anything more horrific than losing a child, but never imagined nor thought about God feeling that same wretched pain of watching HIS child go through that. I have been playing "How Deep The Fathers Love for Us" all weekend. I found this Youtube video that is one of my favorites. Gives me chills.

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 the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed to hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that kept 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 power, 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