The Weight of the Wait

He waited for this. He waited to give his last breath. He waited to be mocked, slandered, and insulted. He waited for God to turn away from the sin he bore. The weight of the wait for those moments are unimaginable, yet Jesus endured it all for us.

The Weight

The burdens, the sins, the hate, the atrocities Jesus carried to the cross are unfathomable. It is hard for me to even visualize something that could represent such a weight to carry. With what little language I do have, I can imagine this:

My sin of hurting others with my anger….one pound of the hammer

My sin of my impurity….another pound of the hammer

My sin of neglecting what I know I should do, but I do not do it….the piercing of his side

My list of sins is far greater than the ones I have shared, and each one was a weight Jesus carried to the cross. And still they were all forgiven before I ever breathed a word of confession, before I ever breathed a prayer of repentance. Yet, while I was still a sinner he died for me, and he died for you (Romans 5:8).

And just as Jesus bore the weight of my sins, so he did for you too. “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus willing endured it all so that not only could we experience his healing, but also to know “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).

 The Wait

Jesus’ death on the cross was not quick. Scripture tells us “about the sixth hour darkness fell” (Luke23:44). He hung on the cross for hours. Additionally, scripture tells of the two thieves that were already hanging for their criminal activities when Jesus was placed between them. And it was in this time he faced more hate from the very one’s he was dying for. No, the death on the cross was not quick.

 Additionally, as he waited for his last breath to come, Jesus watched people gamble for his clothes. He listened to others mock and slander him. He watched his mother weep for him. No man can comprehend such anguish.

Lastly, he waited as the darkness fell. Jesus knew that God could not look upon the weight of sin that Jesus carried. He was the final sacrificial lamb. The only way for man to experience reconciliation with God was through Christ’s bearing the sins of the world. And he waited for God to turn from him as he cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus experienced the weight of separation from God in this last moment of bearing all of mankind’s sin. This cry is also in Psalm 22. This Psalm not only displays anguish, but also expresses God’s faithfulness. And Jesus experienced both as well in these final moments.

 The Weight of the Wait Lifted

As Jesus breathed his last, the weight of the wait ascended, and the weight of glory descended! Scripture tells us that “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). This would have been impossible except through Christ!

No longer did man have to bring a burnt or sacrificial offering. No longer did man have barriers to God. All of mankind could now enter the Holy of Holies and boldly approach God’s throne!

And the story does not end there! In three days, God completed it all. The weight of glory forever sealed for us with an empty tomb. Jesus rose and conquered death and hell for all eternity! Amen!

Last Thoughts

No words can truly capture what God has done for us. No depiction can ever truly portray the wait Jesus endured to bear the weight of all we have done and will do. And no words can adequately describe knowing we can enter the Holy of Holies and be in the presence of God. But as Geoff Moore’s song “Listen to Hearts” humbly conveys:

 So, listen to our hearts
Hear our spirit sing
A song of praise that flows
From those You have redeemed

We will use the words we know
To tell You what an awesome God You are
But words are not enough to tell You of our love
So, listen to our hearts

 May you experience the weight of God’s love, forgiveness, peace, and hope for you today. May you experience the weight of glory.