GOD’S WORD FOR JUNE 19 ~ ~ Galatians 1:4 ~ ~ “who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,”

Excerpts from John Piper’s book, “the Pleasures of God”

When the Father forsook the Son and handed him over to the curse of the cross and lifted not a finger to spare him pain, he had not ceased to love the Son. In that very moment when the Son was taking upon himself everything that God hates in us, and God was forsaking him to death, even then the Father knew that the measure of his Son’s suffering was the depth of his Son’s love for the Father’s glory.

In that love the Father took deepest pleasure. The crucifixion of Jesus was a mysterious event. In that hour Jesus “became a curse for us” (Galatians 3;13). but in the very moment when God’s curse rested most heavily on Jesus because of sin, the Father’s love for his Son reached EXPLOSIVE PROPORTIONS.

This is why Jesus, with his dying breath, could say “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) Though he knew the wrath of his Father was being poured out on him, he also knew that he was bearing it for the Father’s glory, and that the Father loved him for it. “For this reason the Father loves me.” Jesus said, “BECAUSE I lay down my life that I may take it again.” (John 10:17) The Father rewarded his Son for the very suffering which was the Father’s curse.

“We see Jesus, who, for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor BECAUSE of the suffering of death.” (Hebrews 2:9—see also Philippians 2:9)

When Jesus died, he glorified the Father’s name and saved his Father’s people. Since the Father has overflowing pleasure in honor of his name, and since he delights with unbounded joy in the election of a sinful people for himself, how then shall he not delight in the bruising of his Son by which two magnificent divine joys are reconciled and made one!!!!

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