Day 1 -- The Cross He Bore

As I began to read for day 1, I quickly remembered why I purposed in my heart to read this book every year. As I read, I can't help but be drawn into the imagery of the moment, that I actually feel for a second, that I'm there watching everything unfold. Amazing!

I have highlighted some statements that made an impression on my soul:

"All the wisdom of believers', wrote Calvin, is comprehended in the cross of Christ."

"As the cross is central in God's eternal decrees, and in the actual redemption of his people, so it should be central in the thinking and experience of the individual Christian."

"The Gospels....Their purpose is theological, to convey to mankind what God has done in Christ for the salvation of sinners."

"'My soul, he said, is very sorrowful even to death.' This is no ordinary distress. His acquaintance with grief was unparalleled."

"...the death of Christ is different from every other death. He died as the Surety for his people and as their Substitute. Not only must he experience physical death, but also he must taste eternal death--damnation--separation from God!"

"Christ's death is not to be compared with any other....he anticipated the approaching wrath of a holy God."

Leahy goes on to end chapter one with 9 fast moving questions that draw you in even further anticipating the answer to the questions of why did Jesus go from 'a holy peace' feasting with the disciples to 'an awful anguish' suddenly gripping the soul of the Redeemer. What was in that cup? It smelled the stench of hell.

Leahy finishes the chapter with a line that will be forever remembered when we think back on this book and even more significantly the garden of Gethsemane....

"Lord, forgive us for the times we have read about Gethsemane with dry eyes."

The Cross He Bore

Starting today our church is reading through The Cross He Bore by Frederick Leahy. I first became aware of this book about a year ago and purposed to read it every year right before Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. It is an incredible read and its aim is to challenge everyone to meditate on the sufferings of our Redeemer. Edward Donnelly writes in the foreword:

this book has three virtues: it provides solid instruction; gives full play to a disciplined and sanctified imagination; and it recalls the neglected art of meditation. He says further that "in rereading these chapters, I found myself more than once compelled by emotion to stop--and then to worship.

I'm praying that all our people at New Life Church will also be compelled to stop and worship our Redeemer as we journey together one chapter a day for 13 days!