Satisfied

I've heard people look at the cross and come away with a self-esteem booster à l’Oréal:
'Look at what he did for us because "We're so worth it."'

Mmmm, sorry - I just don't think so.

I think that approach side-steps the wonder and the scandal of the cross. The cross displays something of great value, true - but it's not us, it's him. Where do we fit in to the scenario? Ermm, we're the bad guys, we're the ones nailing him to the cross, we're the villains. If you have a good look at what's happening at the cross, there's only one thing it tells us about humans and their value: we are deep in the mire of worthlessness. We are ruined. We are lost. We are bankrupt. And it's not just about our actions. It's not a question of a few hasty, ill-judged remarks. It's not a matter of a few flickering thoughts that we really should have quashed. It's our hearts. It's our nature. We are 'by nature, objects of wrath'.

The cross should be the final exhibit in why God should write humanity off - once and for all.

The wonder and the scandal is that it isn't. 

The wonder and the scandal of the cross is the exuberant, joyful, wholly satisfied love it reveals.


Because Jesus has not been dragged there against his will.
Jesus isn't angry on the cross.
He isn't bristling with righteous anger at how appallingly he's being treated.
He isn't grinning and bearing it.
He isn't even passively bearing with the failures of humanity. He isn't merely bearing up under the pain.
He is laying down his life - in love - for his enemies - and he is satisfied.
Because he loves us. Because he so loves us.


He will see the fruit of his suffering and be satisfied... (Isaiah 53:11)


Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)


As Samuel Davies and C S Lewis put it:

"If you put the sentiments of His benevolent heart into language, methinks He would say, ‘Since My death has been so fruitful of such a glorious posterity—I am well satisfied. I desire no other reward for all My agonies for them. If this end is but answered—I am fully satisfied by My hanging on the tree for them.’

See the strength of the love of Jesus! If you are but saved, He does not begrudge His blood and life for you. Your salvation makes amends for all His sufferings. This He accounts His greatest joy—a joy more than equivalent to all the pains He endured for you. He has full satisfaction for all the sorrows you have caused Him.”
                             Samuel Davies, The Sufferings of Christ and Their Consequent Joys and Blessings


"But the great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. It is not wearied by our sins, or our indifference; and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him."
                             C S Lewis, Mere Christianity