In the wake of Father's Day I would like to take the time to really think about the type of Father God is. We just took the time to show our Father's appreciation for all the hard work and sacrifice they have made for us throughout the years. These sacrifices are just a small glimpse of the sacrifices God has made.
Ever wonder how big of a sacrifice Jesus was?
Imagine this…..
You were in a perfect relationship with someone. It was the
best ever, nothing was wrong, it was bliss. It was so amazing our minds can’t
even comprehend the perfection.
Now imagine, the person you were in the relationship with,
walked out. They thought they could find or do better than the perfection they
had. So they strayed away and went down a path of destruction, not even giving
you a single thought.
So here you are, alone and hurting from the perfect
relationship that is gone. But despite how much it hurts, how easy it would be
to be angry and swear them off, you decide you want them back no matter what
wrong they have done and how much hurt they caused. You want that perfection
back and would do anything to get it. The love you have, never left.
This is an example of the relationship we had with God.
Now imagine you have a son, and if you do have a son, then
this is simple. He is your pride and joy, he is your life. You would do
anything for him and anything to protect him. But the only way to restore that
broken relationship you so desperately want fixed is for your son to be
sacrificed, to die.
Many of you reading this are Christians and this all sounds
so common and blah, blah, blah, heard it before. You may have heard of it, but
have you actually thought about it and marinated on it? Have you let it soak
in? You have ONE son….just one. He is EVERYTHING to you! There is no one else
to protect him. Just you and him. No one in their right mind would sacrifice
their son just to be in a relationship with someone they love. It is ludicrous!
If a father would do that, then he is a horrible horrible father! Right? Well
in this world yes, but not to God.
So let’s say you do, in fact, end up sacrificing your son
for this person. It was the hardest, most gut wrenching thing you have ever had
to do. But it was done and now you can have that relationship back. So you go
to this person, who you just made the biggest sacrifice for, to tell them what
you had done for them. Imagine this is their response….
“Oh wow
I am so sorry to hear that. I know you really cared about that kid. He did a
lot of great things, but I am sure there will be others just like him.”
Apparently, this person is not understanding what you have
done for them! Here is the next exchange:
You:
“What, no there won’t be anyone else like him. He was my son! The one and
only!”
Them:
“Well you see, that’s the thing, I don’t believe he was you son. I think he was
a great kid who did some wonderful things. I think you cared about him greatly.
But him being your son? No.”
Even just reading this, your blood should be boiling.
Someone saying your son is not your son is probably the biggest insult a father
could get! Since this person does not believe he was your son, then of course
they are not going to recognize the magnitude of the sacrifice that was made
for them! Nor will they see it as a
sacrifice at all.
So here are the two things we get from this person’s
response:
1.
They don’t believe he was your son
2.
Your ULTIMATE sacrifice, you gave to be in a
relationship with them again, is going unnoticed.
Your perfect, sweet, pride and joy, your world, your
everything was given up for them, for love, and they don’t see it, don’t care
or choose to be apathetic about it. What a huge slap in the face!!
All you want is for that person to recognize what you did
for them. That is all you want. For them to see how big of a sacrifice you made
for them. Is that too much to ask??
Imagine this exchange:
You: “All
you have to do is believe my son was sacrificed for you and we could be
together again!”
Them:
“Well, there has to be another way, because like I said, I don’t believe that
was your son.”
You:
“No! He was my son and there is no other way! What more could I give than my
own son?”
Them:
“How about this, I will just do good things for you. I will live right and try
to make up for the bad things I have done and the hurt I have caused. Deal?”
You:
“No, no deal! You think doing good things is going to make up for the sacrifice
OF MY SON?”
Them:
“Well yeah….”
You:
“No. My son and I are a packaged deal! You can’t have one without the other. So
unless you see my son….you won’t see me!”
Again….what a huge insult. It is clear this person has no
idea what you gave up for them and then they tried to bargain their way back
into your life.
This is the picture of the love of God and the purpose of
Jesus.
We were in that perfect relationship with God and we walked
away. But instead of God writing us off forever, he loved us enough and wanted
us enough to make the ultimate sacrifice. To give up his son by death, so we
could have that relationship back. And better yet, once we have it back, it can
never be taken away or lost.
All God wants us to do is recognize the price he paid for
us.
