catholicsphere

Today’s Song: Did You Know? — Todd Agnew (in MySpace player)
Did you know?
Did the Cross cast a shadow o’er your cradle?
Did you shudder each time your hammer struck a nail?

As a meditation/reflection for today, I found an article on Crosswalk.com that contains a fictional narrative of how Jesus might look back at the Cross today, particularly in light of what the world has become in contrast to His word, His revelation and His sacrifice…

If you were to be with us in Heaven, you would see an entire life spin out from birth to death in a matter of seconds.

This is why coming to earth to face Calvary’s Cross was the greatest challenge I have had to face during my existence. First I had to come under the earth’s time system of seconds, minutes, hours, weeks, months and years.

This is one reason why I chose today’s song, that the artist, Todd Agnew, describes as a series of questions he would have in a conversation with God.

Imagine knowing all that God knows in an instant. Imagine seeing all the God sees in an instant. Knowing and seeing the full result and effect of any action the second after it occurs.

I eventually faced the appointed day… a day where I would take on all the sins of mankind, a day where I would (in a human body) die a disgraceful, excruciatingly painful death while the Roman soldiers ridiculed me and religious leaders mocked in the distance.

And yet, this was the only way that mankind could be redeemed, saved by Grace, and reconciled to God. Without this sacrifice, all would perish, which had been Satan’s plan since the Garden of Eden.

One drop of Jesus’ blood was enough to make atonement for all the sins of the world (”without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin” [Heb 9:22]). Yet, God had bound up atonement with the most precious thing that every human being has: life. Prefigured in the Passover Lamb, Jesus became the Lamb who was slain for our atonement.

When you join me in Heaven, you will understand why I would want to share this Paradise with you. Heaven (you will see) is filled with exquisite peace and joy, and a place where you will inhabit perfect heavenly bodies… bodies free from aches, pains and disease.

On second thought, let me clarify something. There will be one imperfect body in Heaven. And every time you see the nail holes in my hands and feet, and the scar in my side, you will be constantly reminded of how much I love you. And let me add, it was all worth it.

So come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

[tags]easter, holy week, resurrection, jesus, cross, crucifixion, faith, catholic, catholicsphere, todd agnew, christian, good friday, sin, heaven, salvation, reflection, meditation, scripture, bible[/tags]