I read this to the kids in the Jesus Storybook Bible tonight...
"God was going to pour into Jesus' heart all the sadness and brokenness in people's hearts. He was going to pour into Jesus' body all the sickness in people's bodies. God was going to have to blame his son for everything that had gone wrong. It would crush Jesus.
But there was something else, something even more horrible. When people ran away from God, they lost God-it was what happened when they ran away. Not being close to God was like a punishment. Jesus was going to take
that punishment. Jesus knew what that meant. He was going to lose his Father-and that, Jesus knew, would break his heart in two. Violent sobs shook Jesus' whole body. Then Jesus was quiet. Like a lamb. "I trust you, Papa," he said. "Whatever you say, I will do."
And later as Jesus was hanging on the cross...
"'Papa?' Jesus cried, frantically searching the sky. 'Papa? Where are you? Don't leave me!' And for the first time-and the last--when he spoke, nothing happened. Just horrible endless silence. God didn't answer. He turned away from his Boy."
What's a mama to do but cry when she thinks of a Son crying out to his Father and hearing silence. And knowing that Jesus knew full well that His cries would not be returned...
What a great Savior we have who loves us enough to endure separation from His own Father and bear our sin and God's judgement!
And Karis, she is growing into herself more and more. Funny, independent, determined and oh-so dramatic.
