I have always had a vivid imagination.
When I was a young girl, I didn’t need books with pictures because my mind would make the words come to life. It still happens today.
Through my mind’s eye I have seen Daniel in the lions’ den, Miriam standing at the riverside watching over Moses, the leper who was healed, the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ robe and Mary in the garden on resurrection morning.
When I read the last few chapters of John and the story of the crucifixion it’s hard for me because my mind takes me there and I can see the anguish on Jesus’ face as he is stripped, whipped and abused.
“He was hated and men would have nothing to do with Him, a man of sorrows and suffering, knowing sadness well. We hid, as it were, our faces from Him. He was hated, and we did not think well of Him.
4 For sure He took on Himself our troubles and carried our sorrows. Yet we thought of Him as being punished and hurt by God, and made to suffer. 5 But He was hurt for our wrong-doing. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so we would have peace. He was beaten so we would be healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone the wrong way. Each of us has turned to his own way. And the Lord has put on Him the sin of us all.” Isaiah 53:3-6 NLV
But the thing that has made the biggest impact on me is His eyes. Going through the pain and anguish that He did, His eyes were never angry, they were always filled with love. It was love that held Him to the cross. It was love that forgave the thief hanging next to Him. It was love that asked John to care for His mother. It was love that said, “It is finished”!
“Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NLV
It was the Father’s love for us that sent His Son and it was Jesus’ love for us that compelled Him to die. Both the Father and the Son are the living examples of unconditional love.
” But God showed His love to us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NLV
Close your eyes. Do you see it? Jesus is looking at you with a smile on His face and eyes filled with love!