Why Wasn't The Cross Enough?

Isaiah 52:14New International Version (NIV)

Just as there were many who were appalled at him[a] his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being

and his form marred beyond human likeness—

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First, let me state that I am not a Kabbalist.  My husband gave me a book called, “Great Jewish Stories” which has a section in it of stories from the Kabbalah.  As a daughter of Abraham, grafted in and watered with the blood of Jesus, I recognize that wisdom can be found in the rich history of oral Jewish tradition.

So, this is my telling of, 

Faces Changed by Sin

When Adam and Eve sinned, they were cast out of the Garden of Eden.  The Lord said to them, “The fear of you and the dread of you will be upon every beast of the earth.”  The same creatures who had come to Adam, in trust, to receive their names now fled from them in fear.  Why?  Because their appearance was changed.  

When they walked in the garden with the Lord, His glory shone all over them!  They were the very image of God.  After they were cast out, they no longer reflected God’s glory.  Their faces reflected fearful hearts filled with sin.

Sin changes the features of a face.

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Why wasn’t the cross enough?  Why wasn’t death enough of a payment for the sins of humanity? 

Why did Jesus have to be beaten and flogged so very viciously?

Over the years I know I have asked those questions.  I’ve heard many others ask them too.

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Jesus is the 2nd Adam.  

When you want to know what your sin looks like, look at Jesus after he was beaten.

It’s one thing to think of Jesus dying for the sins of the whole world.  He did!  But, rather, think if you can, of each individual person… every single one, from the beginning of time until this very moment.  The sins of each one, you, me, your parent, my spouse, Osama Bin Ladin, Hitler, Julius Caesar…..

If the sin of one person, Adam, was enough to frighten away the animals that had once trusted him, how much more would the sin of every individual in the history of mankind make Jesus, the final sacrifice, unrecognizable?

His appearance was marred.  He was made unrecognizable, by my sin.

And in exchange, I have become the Apple of God’s eye!  He delights in me!  There is nothing that I can do that will make Him not love me, not make me the most important part of His day!  

Because Jesus was so brutally scarred, I am beautiful!

And so is each one who puts their faith in His sacrifice.

Don’t be saddened by what your sin has done.  

Be filled with gratitude that a way was made!

If it wouldn’t have been worth it, He wouldn’t have done it.

Be filled with the JOY made available by the greatest sacrifice of all!