So instead Im going to just leave you with a simple thought which Id never really considered until this past few days. And its about the kindness of God.
Usually it took people a long time to die on a cross. If you were unlucky it could take up to nine days. Nine days!!! . If they put a ' seat' on the cross to support the weight of the body it took so long to die. And yet Jesus only suffered for six hours. Yes, they were the most agonising and disgustingly tortured hours. But nevertheless, I do believe that the kindness and goodness of the heart of God could not bear to see the Son loaded with sin and covered in shame and heartbroken in agony for one second longer than was absolutely necessary. I believe that God was waiting with bated breath to hear those words ' It is finished' so that He could release Jesus from the torment. My theology might be completely wrong. Please tell me if you understand it differently. But all I know of God is that He is good and just. He does not prolong suffering even though He does sometimes allow it. He does not gloat or glory in pain. He hates it.
I think the crucifixion is a big stumbling block for people who look at the horror and say ' how can a loving God do that to His own Son?' And of course, that it the whole point. He could only do it because of His equally great love for mankind. We will probably never know what it did to the heart of God to have to pay that price. We can only ever be deeply, deeply, eternally thankful.
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