But Jesus Stayed

Earlier this week I was reading the story of Jesus’ death on the cross to our four year old son. I am loving this preschool Bible entitled The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every story whispers his name by Sally Lloyd-Jones. As I was reading from this Bible, I came across the words “but Jesus stayed.” I have had difficulty this week getting that phrase out of my mind. Here was the Lord who had created the entire world – the entire universe – and He stayed and endured the cross because He loved me - He loved you.

Jesus – who was without sin – let himself be shamed and cursed and flogged and sent to the cross – He gave up His intimate relationship with God the Father while on the cross. He took my punishment for my sin – He took your punishment for your sin. He stayed.

When the Roman soldiers mocked Him and made Him a crown of thorns and put a robe on Him – He stayed. When they whipped him and cursed Him – He stayed. When they nailed Him to the cross, He stayed. He did more than just stay – He said “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) He could have rescued Himself. He could have called a legion of angels to rescue Him. He could have made it all stop. But He stayed.

What made Him stay? “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. He stayed. He stayed because His love for you and for me was more than the pain. And the pain was pain that you and I cannot even imagine. And yet, He stayed.

I encourage you right now to praise the Lord Jesus for staying – He did it for you. Here is a song that touches my heart – It’s called “At the Cross” – spend some time right now at the cross – pondering that the Lord Jesus stayed on that cross for you – and give Him glory for the power He has over death. Praise Him this Good Friday.

At the Cross by Hillsong

Verse 1:

Oh Lord You’ve searched me,

You know my way;

Even when I fail You,

I know You love me.

Your holy presence

Surrounding me

In every season,

I know You love me;

I know You love me.

Chorus: 

At the cross I bow my knee

Where Your blood was shed for me,

There’s no greater love than this.

You have overcome the grave

Your glory fills the highest place

What can separate me now?

Verse 2:

You go before me,

You shield my way,

Your hand upholds me;

I know You love me.

Chorus: 

At the cross I bow my knee

Where Your blood was shed for me,

There’s no greater love than this.

You have overcome the grave

Your glory fills the highest place

What can separate me now?

Chorus: 

At the cross I bow my knee

Where Your blood was shed for me,

There’s no greater love than this.

You have overcome the grave

Your glory fills the highest place

What can separate me now?

Bridge: 

You tore-------(torn) the veil 

You made a------(the) way

When You said that it is done x2

Verse 3:

And when the earth fades,

Falls from my eyes,

And You stand before me,

I know You love me;

I know You love me.

Chorus: 

At the cross I bow my knee

Where Your blood was shed for me,

There’s no greater love than this.

You have overcome the grave

Your glory fills the highest place

What can separate me now?

Chorus: 

At the cross I bow my knee

Where Your blood was shed for me,

There’s no greater love than this.

You have overcome the grave

Your glory fills the highest place

What can separate me now?

Bridge: 

You tore-------(torn) the veil 

You made a------(the) way

When You said that it is done x4