I have often wondered why Jesus had to die such a cruel death. I know He had to fulfill all the prophecies of scripture. He had to be brutally whipped. He had to die on a cross; and He had to be nailed to that cross, and ridiculed. His clothes would both be divided between the soldiers, and they would also cast lots for it.
When I was in the second grade, I made my first Holy Communion. One of the prayers we learned said something like this. “One drop of Your Blood would have been enough to pay for our sins…” I don’t think that thought has ever left me.
Yes, God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus. He became sin for us. Sin had to die. But did it have to be so cruel? And how could a loving Father do that to His Son?!?!?!?
He didn’t. He’s not cruel.
In the temple sacrifices – per scripture – because of sin, blood had to be shed.
In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is not forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22 NIV)
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. (Leviticus 17:11 NIV)
In the temple sacrifices, the animals were not tortured or abused. Their death was clean, simple and quick. Slitting the throat. It was not cruel. Their blood is what was required.
But again, why did Jesus die such a cruel death? Yes, He had to fulfill scripture, but wouldn’t just shedding His Blood in a less painful way have sufficed as payment for our sin? Just because it was prophesied what would happen, doesn’t mean that’s what God wanted to happen.
How could a loving father do that to His Son?
He didn’t. He’s not cruel.
Papa God sent His Son as a sacrifice – yes – but He didn’t demand His Son be tortured. That was Satan’s idea. He delights in cruelty.
Even in God’s well-justified wrath – He’s not cruel. Mostly He just lifts His Hand of protection and the enemy does what he loves best – to steal, kill and destroy – to torment. Sin has consequences, and we unfortunately often choose to learn the hard way.
So, God did send His Son as payment for our sin. Payment to the devil to buy us back from slavery in Satan’s “kingdom.” That was the result of Adam and Eve’s treason (though they had no idea what they were losing for all mankind).
So, what’s the moral of the story? God is Good, all the time. And all the time, God is Good. There isn’t a cruel “bone in His Body!” That is not Who He is. But He did send His Son – and Jesus accepted this – knowing what the enemy would do through his executioners. He said “yes” for us.
I can’t imagine that kind of love.
But God said it was worth it.
We are worth what Jesus paid for us.
He said so by paying an unbelievably high price for us..