Did He Have To?

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

But did God have to?

“Demonstrates” is the one word in that verse that brought on this thought.

Why couldn’t he have done like he did with Abraham?  Abraham showed how much he loved God by willingly taking his son, his only son, and prepared to sacrifice him to God.  But…

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

There is no mention of thoughts, expressions, feelings.  Abraham’s last words to his only son was going to be “God will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”  Not I love you Isaac.  Not I’m sorry Isaac.  Not, “Boy, be still! It’s for the best!” His words in my mind are calm.  Unemotional.  Did he question anything?

Wonder what was going through Isaac’s mind during all of this?  Did he squirm?  Were there tears streaming down his face as he lay there bound on top of a pile of wood?  Did he beg and plead for his life even though he knew what THIS was?  Even though he knew God was in control?

Fast forward a few years.

God’s only son was being beat.  He was being, not killed, but slaughtered.  My minister used that word in such a way that it has stuck in my mind.  Jesus wasn’t murdered.  That would have been a blessing to have just been murdered.  No. He was slaughtered worse than any lamb had been slaughtered.

I think we know what was going through Jesus’ mind during this time.  He was scared even before he was seized.  Scared bad.

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.     – Luke 22:44

Did he feel betrayed?

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Matthew 27:46

Even during all of his cries for mercy, God could hear every single word that came from Jesus’ mouth.  He could hear the cries of anguish and pain. He could feel the pain pulsating through Jesus’ body. He heard the last loud cry (hear that..it was a LOUD cry.)

Unlike with Isaac though God didn’t cry out “JESUS! JESUS! CALL IT OFF!” But could he have?

Sure, I think so.  I mean, he is God.  But we would have never heard the words…

…IT IS FINISHED…  – John 19:30

With those three words, for us, it has only just begun.

I have a son.  I would give my life for my son.  How hard would it be to give my son’s, my ONLY son’s, life for you?  It is unfathomable.  I’m glad that it is finished.

Because of HIM

SC

I didn’t answer the question. I left it open for your comments.  I would like to hear your answer to “Did he have to?”