By Judy Villanueva

Genesis 22: 1-2

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

It was an unimaginable ask!

After years of infertility and waiting…after finally giving birth and looking into the face of sweet joy…after cradling  a heart’s desire, God asks what?  Every mother’s heart stops beating at the thought of harm befalling her child but, to think of harm coming at the hand of his father is unthinkable!

Why does God ask Abraham for Isaac?  I’ve always understood this passage as pertinent with regard to idols and placing anything or anyone higher than God.  This makes sense, of course, but this story pushes us to an almost untenable limit.  My child?

Take my dog.  Take me.  Take anything, but please don’t take my child!  And yet, a child is what God gave…

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”  It’s a familiar story and stories begin to have a fairy-tale quality to them once we’ve heard them a time or two.  But, this story is real and invites us to the most beautiful act of love ever demonstrated.

Before Abraham knew a ram would be provided, he said “yes” to God.

This astounds me!  It makes me curious about  Abraham’s relationship with the Father.  Over a lifetime he had come to know God intimately…through trials, long periods of waiting, personal failures and great acts of faith, he had learned to trust God.   Obedience on the mountain of Moriah would require a deep and unwavering confidence.

Love held Abraham and Love held Isaac as the knife was raised!  Love saved Isaac and provided for Abraham another sacrifice.

But, think of it!

Love let go of His most treasured Son—and held us as our Savior hung on the cross and died.  Love spent all He had to have us!

It was an unimaginable gift!

“Father, I don’t know how to take in the wonder and beauty of the gift You gave on Calvary.  Yours truly is a love beyond reason and invites me into its healing power.  To think that I am loved with such vigor and might fills me with hope and deep, deep gratitude.  Don’t let me forget this moment, not for one minute!  Amen.”

What about you?

Is the story of the cross real to you?  Or, has it become a fairy tale without any real impact on your life?

How does it change the way you think of yourself? Think of God?

Do you know that you are deeply and greatly loved?