Let's be honest with ourselves here and admit that life is hard, and not all sunshine and rainbows. Life can definitely bring curve balls; so yes its hard and I don't know about you, but there are many times I just question how hard it must've been for God to give up his one and only son - but he gave out of love, mercy, and grace; to give so willingly without a grudge. For Mary and Joseph, to raise a son not knowing that he would be nailed to a cross.

So no matter hw hard I may think my life is at times or when life may seem like one curve ball after another. It only brings my focus to one person - Jesus and Him alone. 

Then I often wonder, how hard it must've been for Jesus to know that he was going to die to save the souls of man. How painful it must've been to have 7-inch nails driven through his hands and feet, to have a crown of thorns struck on his head, and a spear piercing his side.

How hard it would be to say-"My Father, if possible let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not as I will, but as you will." "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." 

Even with my human brain, I can't begin to to imagine or even begin to wrap my mind around such a thought as this. 

So the hardships or the curve balls that happen in our lives are so small, they almost seem to be pebble sized - nothing; absolutely nothing in our time on earth will ever compare  or even come close to what Jesus had to endure for you and me.

What Mary and Joseph had to go through and understand that this would happen in order for Jesus to save the souls of man and what God had to give; but out of love, he gavehis only son so willingly and lovingly without a grudge.

As absurd as it may sound to many people, and what was once foolishness to us - a crucified God - I can only rejoice because "its only because of Jesus' meritorious life and substitutionary death that we can stand before a Holy God." ~ Charles Spurgeon 

Even though I cannot and will never with my human mind be able to understand what had to happen and the agony Jesus had to go through and pay for you and me and to take on the fullness of God's wrath. 

I can only rejoice because, I am now free, I am no longer bound to my past anymore all because of what Jesus did for you and me.

Surely God's love has conquered me!

Amen! 

Praise, glory, and honor be to God and Him alone, forever and ever!