Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Christ’s burden could really be seen from two different perspectives (if not more). On one hand, there was a physical burden – he was beaten within an inch of his life, betrayed by the ones who’d loved him, and forced to carry the physical burden of his cross through the streets of Jerusalem to Golgotha. On the other, the fullness of the world’s sin and the wrath of a jealous and just God was placed entirely on him as he was nailed to the cross.

I can begin to fathom neither of the two…

As Christians, sometimes we forget the fullness of the reality of what Christ endured in the time of his crucifixion. We love the freedom, and being “saved”, but often are too quick to forget the very real sacrifice that Christ the man endured.

This painting is very subtle, but it’s essence speaks volumes. We can see the cross-beam, a physical reminder of Christ’s earthly burden as well as taking a time to do some emotional reflection and searching about the heaviness of the truth that the sins of the world were laid onto one man’s shoulders on that day. All of God’s wrath was poured out onto His only son for each and every one of us. Every sin that had been, and would be committed was reconciled for all who would believe on that day.

As I reflect on that day through this painting, i’m reminded of the words of one of my favorite hymns …

“My sin, oh the bliss of that glorious thought! My sin, not in part, but the whole was nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, oh my soul!”

Chris Cook is a premier southern artist and owner of Madison Studios, a web design, maintenance, and e-commerce and marketing company. For his artist biography, contact information, or to view more of his work, click HERE