A few days ago somebody said I was irrepressible. He spoke it in anger and frustration; but my heart rejoiced at the word and received it as the tenderest encouragement and affirmation from my God, who really knows me. It is a profound experience to see that sudden conjunction of heaven and earth, where the same words express sanctification from God and condemnation from man. St John records an extraordinary instance of just this happening to Jesus: "Caiaphas spoke up. "You know nothing at all! You do not realise that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation" (John 11:49-51).
In fact, these moments are glimpses of redemption in operation. Not only spoken words, but events and circumstances may seem at first to be evil, but are then discovered as bringing good. This is so familiar an experience, that everyone knows sayings like 'Every cloud has a silver lining'. Usually, it is only with hindsight and subsequent events that we realise God's hidden plan and intent; but sometimes, as I said, we realise simultaneously what is going on in heaven and earth, and that is amazing. Our relationship and intimacy with God has grown to the point that we are aware of both realms at once.
This was clearly how Jesus experienced things. For Him, it seems to have been a state of constant 'twin-awareness', not momentary gifts like it is for most of us. He testified: "I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him" (John 8:28,29). Even in the confusion and terror of his nightime arrest, He remained totally aware of heaven, saying: "Do you not think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53). I believe all of us can aspire to be so changed and renewed in mind and spirit that such awareness and consciousness of God become increasingly normal in daily life. In fact, I think that this is one way of describing what 'faith' is.
In the verses from Hebrews which preface Piper's chapter today, it is clear to me that this is how Jesus experienced His crucifixion. At the same time as his physical and emotional agony on earth, he experienced a heavenly joy. The words chosen by the writer of this letter try to express this profound experience. The Greek word which is translated 'set before' in verse 2, is the same word which is translated 'surrounded' in verse 1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses ..." (Hebrews 12:1). Jesus was surrounded by, caught up in, immersed in, drenched by, the Father's love and joy: at the same time as He was "enduring the cross and disregarding its shame" (Hebrews 12:2).
But not for the entire time. To complete His identification with us, His beloved Bride, as the moment of death approached He suddenly lost all awareness of heaven and all intimacy with His Father. This had never happened to Him before, and it wrenches agonising words from Him: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). Of course, His loving Father and our loving Father never had, and never does.
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