The Terrifying God and His Forsaken Son

He was terrifying when he wiped-out the world's population with a global flood.

He was terrifying when he showered Sodom with burning sulfur.

He was terrifying when fire came out from his presence to consume Nadab and Abihu for their experimental worship.

He was terrifying when he instantly struck Uzzah dead for rescuing the ark of the covenant from touching the soil.

The presence of the holy God then is not a safe place for us unholy ones. Isaiah understood this well that when he saw a vision of the Holy God, he thought his doom has come.

Yet when his beloved Son was arrested, none of the arresting team fell dead. Where is the terrifying God?

On trial, while answering the question of the High Priest, one of the officials struck him in the face and asked, "Is this the way you answer the high priest?". He was concerned about the honor of the High Priest yet trampled upon the honor of the Son of God. But he remained alive. Where is the terrifying God?

While on trial, a false witness appeared. He testified that Jesus forbids people from paying taxes. This was a big lie for when Jesus was asked on this very issue, he replied "Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar..." Yet the liar remained alive. Where is the terrifying God?

They made him wear a mock royal robe; made him wear a crown of thorns. The King of glory was made a laughingstock. But they remained alive. Where is the terrifying God?

Blindfolded, they struck him repeatedly and asked, "Who struck you?". Yet they remained alive. Where is the terrifying God?

They spit on him. Probably some drops of saliva and phlegm landed on Jesus' face. Yet the offenders remained alive. Where is the terrifying God?

They stripped Jesus naked subjecting him to public shame. Nails were driven through his feet and wrists. Yet they remained alive. Where is the terrifying God?

The crowd taunted, "He saved others, but he can't save himself!". But no one in the crowd fell dead. Where is the terrifying God?

Where is the holy and terrifying Father who sent the global cataclysmic flood, burned Sodom, killed Uzzah and burned Aaron's sons?

He was there. In fact, the Heavenly Father was not passive in all these. He was actively involved:

This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. (Acts 2:23)

His wrath was poured out exclusively on his sin-bearing Son. When Jesus shouted "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?", he wasn't merely reciting the words of Psalm 22. This was a heartfelt outcry from an abandoned soul who for the first time since eternity past was separated from the presence of his Father to suffer for sins not his own. By this one sacrifice, we who believe won't have to fear the wrath of God anymore. The presence of God is now a safe place for those who believe in his Son. (Isaiah 53:3-6; Romans 3:25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18)