Pastor Katie spoke about how the curtain in the Temple was torn in two when Jesus died upon the cross. That has always been the part about the crucifixion that blesses me the most. He had been hanging on the cross for over three hours and the sky turned as dark as night. God, the Father, had to turn his back on Jesus as his son became sin, and Jesus cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” At the end of the three hours of darkness, Jesus cried out again, “in a loud voice,” “It Is Finished!” I think Jesus trumpeted that, and all Heaven rejoiced!! Atonement was accomplished, and no further payment was needed.
And then, Jesus called out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”. With that his spirit left his body to be reunited with his Father until he was resurrected three days later. As His spirit left his body, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, signifying that we no longer have to wait for a priest to make atonement for our sins once a year, but we can come “boldly unto the throne of grace.” Heb 4:16
Have you ever stopped to think about the weight of sin that was piled on Jesus? Think about the sins that are committed on just one day in the city or county where you live. Murder, rape, theft, lying, deceit, etc. 1 Cor. 6:9-10 lists sexual immorality, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuality, greed, drunkenness, slander and swindlers. 1 Tim 1:10 adds murders, adulterers, perverts, slave traders, (human trafficking), liars, perjurers and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.” I think you get the picture. Now multiply that sin by all the cities in the world. That is just for one day. Now add to that every sin that has been committed since Eve took the forbidden fruit in the garden, and will be committed until Jesus comes again. Jesus took the whole load of sin upon himself and paid for every last one. That’s why the Father had to turn his back on him. But when Jesus cried, “It is finished,” the debt was paid for every last sin. The Father’s wrath against sin was paid for and the veil in the temple was ripped apart.
You might think, “I don’t do or haven’t done, any of those horrible things, but what about jealousy, pettiness, bad thoughts, neglecting God’s house, impatience, unfaithfulness, unforgiveness, lack of mercy, etc? All of those things were loaded onto Jesus also.
The load that Jesus bore and paid for is unfathomable.
As Katie was ending her message, the words if an old song came to me:
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me.
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee.
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come!!
HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOR!! (Another old song)
Naomi Brinkman
