Earlier this week, I was challenged from multiple sources to meditate on the Passion Week, to think about the historical events we celebrate at Easter, and consider the reason for the cross. I sat thinking about how long it has been since I have been overwhelmed by the love of God. I can look back and remember moments when I felt incredibly free because I was so sure of the love of God and so aware of how little I deserved it. My circumstances seemed all a product of His grace, even though they were far from perfect. No biting remark or sense of another person's disapproval could hurt me because I knew so poignantly that I had been rescued and that the love and acceptance of God was sweeter and more satisfying than any human love or sign of man's approval.
Once your eyes have experienced such sharp vision, it's not hard to realize when your glasses have fogged up and the beauty of God's work on the cross has somehow become a point in your Sunday sermon notes instead of something that moves you to tears every moment that you have breath. Perhaps it would be impractical for us to always be on the verge of tears thinking about the cross, but I think it is good for us to pray periodically that we know the depths of sin and despair from which we have been saved. It is from this place that our love for Jesus grows and only from that place can we love people as He loves them.
For me, what drew me back to the foot of the cross was remembering the weight of what I once lived under. Some of it came from watching others drowning in some of the struggles that once gripped my life. My hope for them comes from what I saw God do in my life. But, the second I lose sight of how deeply I struggled, the second I lose grace for them and pass on to judgement. Honestly, though, I sometimes guard myself from remembering what I once was. It's embarrassing. It makes certain years of my life feel like a waste. But, only in remembering, do I know that it was only Jesus taking my burden upon Himself that could have freed me from the burdens that were weighing me down. And, only in remembering my pain and how fruitlessly I tried to fix my problems myself, do I develop a heart that longs for others to be free.
I do not feel the need to be specific in naming the sins and burdens Jesus has saved me from. I promise you that they are not much different from your own because Jesus looks at us all the same. Our sins all weighed on Him the same while He was on the cross, and the price He paid He paid for all sins without distinction. There wasn't a heavier price for some. Every sin grieved Him. Every sin was enough to separate us from Him forever. But He conquered sin and death and rose, offering the only hope for life and freedom from this crushing weight of sin.
As my vision of the cross has come into clearer focus this week, this song has been on repeat:
"Come to Me" - The Village Church
Weary, burdened wanderer
There is rest for thee
At the feet of Jesus
In His love so free
Listen to His message
Words of life, forever blest
Oh, thou heavy-laden
Come to me, come and rest
There is freedom, taste and see
Here the call, come to me
Run into His arms of grace
Your burdened carried, He will take
He will take...
Bring Him all thy burdens
All thy guilt and sin
Mercy's door is open
Rise up and enter in
There is freedom, taste and see
Here the call, come to me
Run into His arms of grace
Your burdened carried, He will take
He wil take...
Jesus, there is waiting
Patiently for thee
Here him gently calling
Come, Oh, Come to me
There is freedom, taste and see
Here the call, come to me
Run into His arms of grace
Your burdened carried, He will take
He wil take...
Won't you come?
Won't you come?
I pray that you will come. Give him your burden for the first time. Remember your burden that He has already carried and taken away. Praise him with tears of gratitude that you are free. Sit at his feet this Easter. Rest in His love.
