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The Sounds of Love

3/29/2013

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By the time the 7 inch iron nail was driven into his wrist, Jesus had already carried the 100 pound crossbar nearly 700 yards. It's doubtful he saw the hammer being raised high above his head, through his swollen, blood -soaked eyes. Still it came down with ferocious venom, pounding through his flesh. By this time the Romans had perfected crucifiction. Like a demented surgeon, the Roman warrior felt for the space between the bones of the forearm, the precise spot that would not sever arteries. He must be exact, as the location of this nail must support the weight of a man without tearing apart his flesh.
Could Jesus hear the clang of the hammer and nail above the jeers and taunts of the hateful crowd? As one soldier hammered, another prepared the feet of Jesus for a similar fate...while yet another laughed, only stopping to spit on the man who healed the bodies of so many. The soldier's saliva crawls down the side of Christ only to be quickly swallowed-up by pools of blood collecting beneath the crossbar Jesus is now stretched-out upon. Listen. Listen carefully now. The sounds are still haunting. Too exhausted to scream, the savior groans, weakly. When he can muster enough courage he breathes deeply...each breath brings excruciating pain. Listen to the steady rhythm of blood dripping to the ground. This blood prepares the landscape for violent tremors soon to come. The clang of the iron nail driven into his other wrist cues the sun that it's almost time to disappear...hide from view and be replaced with the eery substitute of darkness.
Can you hear the criminals scream on each side of him? Both cry out in pain being nailed to a beam. Three men are crucified on the mountain, only one will never see heaven. Do you hear the cry of Jesus' mother, as she stares at a son so disfigured he no longer resembles a man.
They lift him now. A new toture begins as his cross slowly rises and slams into an erect position. His crown of thorns digs deeper into his flesh and skull. With the exception of a few taunts, it grows quiet now. Jesus open an eye just wide enough to see soldiers gamble for his garments. He recalls the many who would reach through crowds simply to grab his clothes and ask for a miracle. Does he regret the hours spent on bended knee washing the feet of his friends just days before? He makes the answer clear as he gathers the strength to speak, "Forgive them...they know not what they do."
The smell of wine eminates from a jug beneath the cross, but Christ refuses it. Instead of clinging to even an ounce of comfort, he turns to the man hanging next to him and extends the comfort only the son of God can provide: "Today you will be with me in paradise."
We hear him speak one last time to his father, and he takes a final breath. The sound of thunder moves in, while the sun disappears. Down the mountain and across the road, the Roman soldier collecting the instruments of torture used on Jesus hours before is alarmed by the sudden darkness over the mountain above. Then he hears it as the thunder briefly ceases...the curtain of the temple torn in two from top to bottom. Then the very earth beneath him splits open.
The smell of death rests on the mountain. The body on the cross is still. There is no movement now. Just a continual streaming of blood. Drip by drip the blood of Christ falls and splatters on the ground. Each drop carrying the assurance that he loves us...beyond measure.

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The Sweetest Offering

3/15/2013

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Most of the time little Sophie giggles, dances, sings and smiles. But the other day she was not herself...a real grump. I tried to cheer her up but failed miserably. It didn't take her long to cry, "Mama. I want mama." Admitting defeat I leaned down, extended my arms and tenderly stated, "I can take you to mama." She replied with a whimper and rejected my offer. She just stood there and cried, making impossible the very thing she asked for. Again I spoke over her weeping, leaning down arms outstretched, "Sophie I can take you to mama." She stomped her foot in disgust and again cried, "I want mama!" She refused to let me lead her to the one she desired so earnestly.
 She's not the only one. In the midst of our pain, fear, and heartache we cry out to God for help. If only we could get to Him. We echo Job as he pleaded for a mediator between him and God. He was afraid and confused: "I would speak up without fear of Him, but I cannot...If only I knew where to find Him, if only I could go to His dwelling" (Job ch's 9&23).
 I was there to lead Sophie to the one she desired, her mama. I was available and present to escort her to the comforter she sought. Yet she had to trust me to take her there. We have one willing and available to take our hand and lead us to the throne of God...directly into His presence. And we can do so without fear. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all" (I Timothy 2:5).
 We stand and stomp our feet or cry in the corner wanting an audience with God, all the while Jesus stands before us, arms outstretched inviting us to meet with the Father. He can take us there. Perhaps its harder to trust and be vulnerable than to stand and scream. I finally convinced Sophie to let me embrace her and lead her to the one she desired. It may have been desperation, it may have been exhaustion...whatever the reason she decided to trust me. So what do we say to the Savior as He offers to lead us into friendship with God? We would be wise to stop stomping our feet and instead reach up and let Him lead. God has made Himself available...do we?

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    about the writer...

    Andrew is thankful he's had the opportunity to do some cool things so far... drummer and lead singer in a rock 'n' roll band, TV Sports Reporter, and earn a couple of Master's degrees along the way. He's glad he has a great wife to help him navigate parenthood, especially now that his boys are chasing around a little sister. He hopes this site helps you grow closer to God and your children.
     

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