The reason God extends such mercy and patience is because his anger with our rebellion is ultimately poured out on Jesus. Make no mistake: the cross is about love and anger. God is angrier than any of his creatures, and the cross is where his anger and wrath were fully concentrated. When we turn to Jesus, God’s anger is turned away from us and turned toward the cross. His justice is fully satisfied by the very costly price of his Son’s death. Meanwhile, his mercy and love are fully expressed to us as he gives us true life through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
