Picture a dad. He and his son have spent some time making a maze and some mice to put in it. These mice can only get out one way, but they've chosen to stay in a corner of the maze where they can't get out. So the son realizes that the only way he can get the mice out of the corner of the maze is to show him the way out. But, wait, he can't talk to the mice as a human! He has to become a mouse. So the son somehow becomes a mouse and goes down to show the mice the perfect way through the maze. The mice follow him through, but some stray off and get lost in the maze again. The only way the kid/mouse can ensure that they won't stay lost is to die for them. And he does... (to be continued around Easter, that was the good friday part)
Now lets look at that part of my story. Why did the boy care so much about the mice? It's cause he made them and they are his. Its just like a little kid caring about a pet frog. It's his. Why does he like it? It can't do anything for him. It's because he owns it. It is his.
All these analogies obviously represent Christ dying for us. Why did He die for us? It is because He loves us, but He loves us because we are His. How absurd would you think it would be if your best friend said he was gonna die for mice? Thats exactly what Christ's love is. It's insane. It's crazy. But thats exactly how it should be. Imagine the conversation that happened between the boy and his father.
"Hey Pops, I've gotta die for those mice."
"WHAT!? WHY!? They don't deserve it. They don't do anything for you."
"I've just gotta do it."
It doesn't make any sense. But thats also the perfect example of how we should love. Love our enemies like Jesus loved the people who beat him up and put him on the cross. Why? Because Jesus said to. That's good enough reason for me.
I'm with you, Evan. I can't really get my mind around the fact that the God of the entire universe, who spoke it all into existence, loves me so much that He would send his son to die for me. I don't get it. But I'm very grateful.
ReplyDeleteListen to Why by Nichole Nordman. its a really good song that tells the crucifixtion from three diferent points of views: a little girl who sees and visits jesus while hes on the cross, Jesus while hes on the cross, and god watching from above.
ReplyDeleteGirl: "daddy why are they screaming? why are the faces of some of them beaming? why is he dressed in that bright purple robe? ill bet that crown hurts him more than he shows.. daddy please, cant you do something?? he looks as though hes going to cry... you said he was stronger than all of those guys... daddy please tell me why... why does everyone want him to die?"
jesus: "Father why are they screaming? why are the faces of some of them beaming? why are they casting their lots for my robe? this crown of thorns hurts me more than it shows... Father please, cant you do something? i know that you must hear my cries... i thought i could handle a cross of this size... father remind me why... why does everyone want me to die? oh when will i understand why???"
and then finally God: "my precious son, i hear them screaming! im watching the facee of the enemy beaming! but soon i will clothe you in robes of my own! jesus this hurts me much more than you know! but this dark hour, i must do nothing.. though i hear your unbearable cries... power in your blood destroies all of the those lies... soon youll see past their unmerciful eyes... look there below, see the child.. trembling by her fathers side? now i can tell you why... she is why you must die..."
Nichole does a wonderful job potraying how the main different views sees the crucifixion, and its a really powerful song... im learning it on piano... check it out
~L
I shall, Thanks Lauren!
ReplyDelete