But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every one. Hebrews 2:9
I spent last week at the beach. In addition to the chance to rest and relax, to slow down and soak in the warm sun and fresh air, it is always a time of quiet and contemplation, and listening. With it being the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, the Passion Week there was plenty to contemplate.
In Jeremiah 28, in a vision, the prophet is tasked with taking the cup of God’s wrath to each of the nations so the king could drink from it. When the king did, judgment fell. “They will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.” (Jeremiah 28:16) That’s after just a taste of the wrath of God. In our modern minds, with our sophisticated sensibilities, we much prefer the love and the grace of God, but His judgment and wrath are just as integral to His character. His wrath is as frightening as it is real.
It’s no wonder that Jesus cried out in the Garden, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me.” (Matthew 26:39)
He was facing the whole cup, not just a sip. And He knew exactly, intimately, what the wrath of God was like.
With that full knowledge and understanding, He said, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” He faced wrath I will never endure. He suffered as I never will. He died a death I will never experience and He endured a separation from and rejection by God that I will never be confronted with.
How could we do any less than crown Him with glory and honor?