Breathe In, Breathe Out

Serious pain is an interesting thing. It can be so consuming that it becomes difficult to breathe. Breathing, which is part of the autonomic nervous system, is the part of your nervous system that controls involuntary actions such as the beating of your heart or breathing. Typically we don't consciously control our breathing, but if we want or need to, we can. Sometimes pain can be so intense it is hard to breathe -- difficult enough that one has to concentrate on each breathe and intentionally think through the process of breathing.

breathe in... breathe out...

breathe in... breathe out...

Yesterday I was considering Palm Sunday and thinking what a difference a week can make.  From the triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem, to the crucifixion, to the resurrection.

When Jesus was beaten before He was taken to be crucified did it take His breathe away? Did it catch Him off guard? I often wonder if Jesus found it hard to cope with the embarrassment and humiliation of being publicly beaten, mocked and stripped of His clothes in front of all those people. When we feel pain does that give us a glimpse into what it might have been like for Jesus when He was nailed to the cross? Was He able to breathe through the pain? Did it take all of His concentration to keep breathing?

Yet in spite of all this, while Jesus was hanging on the cross, He was still able to care for His mother. Jn. 19:26-27 says, “When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, 'Dear woman, here is your son.' And he said to this disciple, 'Here is your mother.' And from then on this disciple took her into his home.” Also, while Jesus was on the cross He had this short conversation with the criminal hanging next to Him. Lk. 23:42-43 says, “Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.' And Jesus replied, 'I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.'”. In the midst of Jesus' physical pain he still loved and cared for those around Him.

In moments like these I find it rather difficult to comprehend the love of my Heavenly Father. Jesus willingly and intentionally suffered huge pain and public humiliation for a crime He did not commit... because He loves each one of us... because He loves you... because He loves me.

You matter so much to God that He made a way for you to spend eternity with Him. Wow!  This is certainly worth pondering and taking the time to really consider the cost.

It kind of takes my breath away...

breathe in... breathe out...

breathe in... breathe out...

Jo-Ann