“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
It was not only Jesus who suffered for mankind… God, the Father, had to abandon His beloved Son to the evil of this world. Imagine how you would feel, having to send your own son to be tortured and executed in order to save people who neither knew who he was, nor cared. The people Jesus had lived amongst professed to love God but most could not even recognise His own Son.
The world was filled with evil but, for righteousness’ sake, justice must be served and only a spotless, sinless sacrifice could satisfy the demands of God’s holy law. So, at the height of His suffering, as all the sin, all the darkness and even death, were poured upon Him, the Father turned away from Jesus because He SO loved the world. There was no other choice; the Father’s love for us is so immense, so passionate, so all consuming and unconditional that He gave up what He treasured the most to restore our broken relationship.
Spend some time thanking the Father for His kindness, for His love, in sending Jesus to be our substitute. Tell Him what it means to you, how it has changed you. Sit in His presence and receive His love. Let it wash over you, soften the hard places in your heart and heal your wounds.
The Finished Work 