Friday, April 18, 2003
"Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen."-- A collect for Good Friday, from The Book of Common Prayer
What a strange thing to be "contented" about, to be betrayed and put to death! There is no question that Jesus suffered greatly on the Cross, and that he would have much preferred to avoid the experience if he could have. Yet it was not done without his consent, as he himself said: "No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly." Why was he willing? Because of his love for you and me. We, who are now the children of God, are the "joy that was set before him," for the sake of which he endured the Cross. And the wonder of it is that, despite the horrific agony that he suffered, he considered it a fair trade -- he was "contented."
Posted by Matt on 4/18/2003 07:52:00 PM 
My thoughts, profundity not guaranteed
