Heinous

Heinous. I like that word (its meaning, not so much). I like words that really pack a punch. How was your weekend? Say "fun" or even "exciting" and I'll respond with a "oh that's nice" and throw in a nod. Even though "devastating" sounds better than "bad," by no means would I rather have you experience the former over the latter. When something stands out as truly extraordinary (ever find that word kinda ironic?), people naturally tend to gravitate towards it.

Now, allow me to digress for a moment. I didn't grow up in the church (at least not at a place where I made my faith my own), went to a prestigious university which contributed to my inward arrogance, was part of a fraternity where I did some real stupid things, and made light--into games even--of things I'm now ashamed.

But shortly after college, God somehow landed me in the middle of nowhere, in the dead of winter, with nothing to turn to but Him. He gave me the grace to put my trust in Jesus, and everything's turned 180 since then (though obviously not without its kinks). Finding God later in life, one understandably slingshots in spiritual growth as there (usually) is more maturity to work with. And that's what I did. Much had been forgiven, so much love was shown (Luke 7:47).

Even though I'm in a good place now, I've still caught myself plenty enough times to fully know that apart from God, I have no good thing in me (Psalm 16:2). Yet pride leeches on and, honestly, it's hard to shake off, especially when you're not aware of it; in the back of my mind, I admit I'm not perfect, but also that I'm not that bad.

Now, back to the point. Today, at church, the pastor said something along these lines:

If you've been raped, how can that go unpunished with a loving God?
It doesn't; Jesus bore the punishment Himself.

I once had a real close friend who was assaulted, and I took on her pain (to whatever extent another person could) along with her. To me, rape is one of those traumas to which I would appropriately assign the description of heinous (actually, I really hate that word). The Cross sheds new meaning to me in this light.

Jesus bore the punishment Himself.

The wrath poured out on Him by God the Father wasn't only to the extent of what mounts to be adolescent blunders when compared to heinous rape or cold-blooded murderous sickness. No, the Father's wrath encompassed all and Jesus' incomprehensible love, translated into willful obedience, paid it all.

That is extraordinary.

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