The cross just doesn't make sense...or does it?

The cross just doesn't make sense.

Psalm 89 was written hundreds of years before Jesus' death, but it tells of utter confusion in the face of God's King experiencing the cross.

For, God is a God of:

• steadfast love (v1, 2, 14, 24, 33)
• faithfulness (v1, 2, 5, 8, 14, 24)
• wonders (v5)
• righteousness (v14, 16)
• justice (v14)
  

And He had made some incredible promises to David (Jesus' royal ancestor):

"I will establish your offspring for ever,
and build your throne for all generations" (v4)

"He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father,
my God, and the Rock of my salvation,;
And I will make him the firstborn,
the highest of the kings of the earth." (v26-27)

"I will not violate my covenant
or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
Once for all I have sworn by my holiness;
I will not lie to David.
His offspring shall endure for ever." (v34-36)

And yet, we see his King:

• cast off (v38)
  
• rejected (v38)
  
• renounced (v39)
• without splendour (v44)
• cut short (v45)
  
• covered with shame (v45)
• experiencing the burning wrath of God (v45)
• mocked and insulted (v50, v51)
  

God himself has hidden himself from him (v46)

The Psalm doesn't have an answer. The writer just poses some heart wrenching questions:

"What man can live and never see death?
Who can deliver his soul from the power of the grave?" (v48)

"Lord where is your steadfast love of old?" (v49)

The cross just doesn't make sense!

But Jesus doesn't agree! Check out this really interesting incident in the life of Jesus:

"From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

And Peter took himside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you Lord! This shall never happen to you."

But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me Satan! You are a hinderance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." (Matt 16v21-23)

The cross was always the plan. It was a part of his mission that was non-negotiable. And as he died he cried out: "It is finished" (John 19v30) - mission completed!

The reason!?

The Bible says it's all about reconciliation and removal of God's anger towards our rebellion:

"While we were enemeis we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son." (Romans 5v10)

The message of the cross? The way back to God is open! Judgement is dealt with! COME HOME.