The Father and the Crucifixion

A paraphrase of Romans 5:8 can read, “God has demonstrated his love for us in that even while we were sinners, he sent his Son to die on a cross for us.” We do not want to overlook the role of the Father’s love. Giving ourselves up is easier than feeling responsible for letting someone else suffer. Here the Father is not only “letting” but “designing” the basis for human salvation. More than that, he did it while we were still sinners. And, this all stands on top of the fact that we brought this problem on ourselves; God was not obligated to do something about what we caused.

But love does not work that way. It does more than the circumstance requires, and it does not do it the easy way: it does it the way that is appropriate to the need. The Father’s love overshadows the whole event we are memorializing. Taking the loaf and cup expresses our connection to the Son and to the Father through him.