There’s an old dialogue in which a Christian asks the question, “How much does Jesus love you?”
After a moment, the Christian stretches out their arms as wide as possible and continues, “This much.” As if showing Jesus on the cross.
Here’s a song by Christian artist Matt Redman and some friends, called Son of Suffering. It shows how much Jesus loves you.
Oh, the perfect Son of God
In all His innocence
Here walking in the dirt with you and me
He knows what living is
He’s acquainted with our grief
Man of sorrows, Son of suffering
Jesus knows what it is to walk in dirt, experience grief, and suffer pain and abandonment.
The blood and tears
How can it be?
There’s a God who weeps
There’s a God who bleeds
Oh, praise the One
Who would reach for me
Hallelujah to the Son of suffering
Your God weeps. Your God bleeds. Just like you. But different than you, he’s able to conquer and control all things, all sings, all mistakes so that you are saved. You are forgiven. He promises to work all things out for your good.
Some imagine You
Are distant and removed
But You chased us down in merciful pursuit
To the sinner You were grace
And the broken You embraced
And in the end, the proof is in Your wounds
Your cross, my freedom
Your stripes, my healing
All praise King Jesus
Glory to God in Heaven
Your blood, still speaking
Your love, still reaching
All praise King Jesus
Glory to God forever
God doesn’t run from you. He chases you down in merciful pursuit, like a pet owner whose dog runs away. Always speaking. Always reaching. And he has found you!
PRAYER: God of suffering, do you really love me that much? Can you really forgive me for causing your pain? Did you really die for me? You say that you did. You say that you do. Then, love you, too. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: “The Chosen” is a new Jesus movie series. It features the song, “Son of Suffering” in season 3. This well-loved and highly recommended series will open your eyes to Jesus through the stories of his followers—and even his enemies. Watch a trailer here. Then download The Chosen App on your phone or smart TV and start watching!
