Does He Still Feel the Nails?

"When we think of Jesus on the cross, we often think only of the incredible physical torture His body must have borne. Yet wouldn't His soul have been even more tortured? His infinite love rejected. On the edge of a chasm between Himself and His Father. Looking down on His weeping mother and heartbroken friends - all for the sake of the people who were crucifying Him. When those whose own souls have been in the deep, black valley of unrelieved anguish look to the man on the cross for peace, they understand what others cannot - there were probably moments when Jesus welcomed the distraction of the nails pounded into His hands."

The above quote from Christian author Sigmund Brouwer, especially the last line, struck me with particular force today. I must confess that many times when I consider the death of Jesus I focus upon the physical agony of the crucifixion. Yet, as Brouwer rather vividy points out, that torment pales in comparison to the spiritual damage my sins and yours wrecked upon His soul.

Every lustful look, every hateful word, each greedy action, each selfish deed and a host of other sins, hammered His heart and crushed His spirit. The cup He begged the Father to take away in Gethsamane was now poured into the open wounds of His mind, emotions and soul.

Paul tells us that He who knew no sin became sin for us. If we could only grasp even a small bit of that truth - how much different would be our lives and our love for the One suffered so for us. "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."