Do You See Him On The Cross?

Michael E. Wood
May 20-21,2011


While contemplating Romans 4:13-25 the following came to mind.

As we consider some of the various aspects of the life of Abraham, is it not the life of Christ in him by faith that draws the admiration of our hearts toward him?

We read the promise made to him; “’I have made you the father of many nations’- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” Likewise we read, “He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead…” and “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God…” In these words are we not given insight into the counsel of the God-head before all creation?

William R. Newell said it well when he penned the words,

“Oh the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!”

God in knowing the choice that would be made by Adam to transgress His command that would bring the wrath of God and death to the entire human race beforehand determined and promised to save a people for Himself, and for His Own glory. This people also known as the church and the bride of Christ would be made up of every nation, tribe and tongue.

Though God is love, there was only one way God could be just and the justifier of the ungodly. Jesus Christ the Son of the living God would give himself, as the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world to bring into existence the things that did not exist. It is beyond our comprehension to fully understand the perfection of love enjoyed between God the Father and God the Son in eternity past. Knowing the price that He would pay at Calvary, for wretched, deplorable men like you and me, He humbled Himself becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

For the joy that was set before Him, the joy of pleasing the Father, he endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God the Father. It is faith in Christ that gives glory to God and it is faith in Christ that was counted not only to Abraham as righteousness, but to all of us who believe in Him who raised up from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered for our trespasses and raised for our justification. It is Christ that has raised us from our spiritual death to live with Him now to glorify our Father in heaven.

Do you see Him on the cross,
Crying out to God Most High,
In the form of human weakness
Calling out then, “My God, Why”?


Yet He staggered not a moment
Though our sins on Him were laid.
His obedience to us counted
By His blood then death was slayed.
For the joy then set before Him,
Jesus Christ, the God of grace
Suffered wrath, despising shame,
Endured the cross then in our place.
By His resurrection; freely
We are now then justified
And one day we shall see clearly
Face to face then glorified.


O Father now by sweet profusion
You have shown Your love to me
By Your Spirit never ceasing
In my heart by Calvary.
Far beyond what we imagine
Yet by faith to think and feel
You have shown us things prepared
And through the Spirit to us reveal
Things that to the world are hidden
And for Your glory did decree
Before the ages and in Jesus
All is given fully free.


Thank You for this gift of mercy,
Whereby we may contemplate
All You have done to transform us,
God of wonder, God so Great!