So, I woke up today with a headache. Not too abnormal for me. Some are worse than others, but I have gotten so used to them (thanks to the blessing of TMJdisorder, which my doctor diagnosed me with in high school and said it was because I talked too much! Ha! Yeah, right! Puh-leeze!). A dose of regular old extra-strength Excedrin usually does the trick pretty quickly, if needed. A good neck/shoulder massage from my husband is usually just what the doctor ordered for those stronger headaches. Often, though, I am able to go about my day and not even realize I have a headache...like I said...I have grown quite accustomed to them.
As I was reading about Jesus' crucifixion this morning, while I was enduring this headache and waiting for the Excedrin to kick in, I was struck very deeply. Our Savior was enduring excruciating, flesh-ripping, joint-dislocating, muscle-tearing, lung-compressing, heart-stopping pain as He was hanging by nails on a tree dying...for us.
During all of the lingering time He was dying yet still living on that cross, He never once attempted to numb or even stop the pain.
He was tempted to during the mocking of the onlookers.
He could have done it.
He could have come down.
(He did rise from the dead and ascend to heaven just a few days later, after all.)
The soldiers even attempted to help Him numb the pain by offering Him a sedative drink near the end, which He refused.
He knew His work and purpose.
He knew He had to endure and conquer death in all its fullness, a death that most humans will never have to endure on this earth because it is (and was even then) considered so cruel and inhumane. He had to face and endure that death, unsedated, as He became our sin...all sin - past, present, and future...in order to pay the ultimate and final penalty for it so that we would not have to.
WOW!
What can you say to that!?!
I believe...I accept...I repent...Thank you!
Sorry to be so graphic, but sometimes we just need to stop and remember the depth and realism of what our Savior did for us and the magnitude of what He offers us.
And to think...we complain about a little headache!
3 comments:
Wonderful Haelie! And I am loving the newest look!!
Thanks, Robin! I'm digging your latest one, too! ;)
Isa 53:5 -
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Praying for you ~ You know once I was diagnosed with that, but I have not had much trouble with it. Blessings ~
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