Christ died a shameful death - the MOST shameful death possible for that time and culture. He died a death on a cross. Two planks of wood were stood up, nails were sent through his hands and feet and he was stuck on the cross and hung there to die. Not only did he endure that [for us], but he also endured mocking, betrayal, being stripped of his clothing, being yelled at, and being provoked. The soldiers disgraced him immensely and the disciples denied him. And what did Jesus do while they did all of that to him? He let them move him as they pleased. He let them kick him and whip him and call him mocking names. They tried their hardest to provoke him to anger and to lashing out against them. Yet, he did nothing but pray for them.
When I read the passages about the crucifixion, I want to yell at Jesus and scream at him, "Say something! Do something! Tell them what this means! Explain who you are!" But he doesn't do that. He stays completely silent and accepts their beatings and their wretchedness. And when he finally does speak, he tells the women not to weep for him (Luke 23:28). The second time it is recorded of him speaking, he is hanging on the cross and all is he says is, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing."(Luke 23:34)
Wow. Just wow. Let that blow your mind. It blows my mind. He is so humble. I see him as absolutely overcome with grief that he can't say a single word to them. Have you ever felt that feeling? You're so upset and heartbroken about something, and then the most agitating, annoying thing that would make you lash out any other day happens and you can't even muster up the ability to respond to it. You just are so overcome with sadness that you can't respond. I imagine Christ felt that way during the crucifixion. He was so overcome with sadness. He must have thought, "they don't understand what they are doing, and they don't understand what I am going to do for them." He had pity on them. He was grieved for the sins they were committing. But he also knew that he had to do this task, dying on the cross for all sins, in order to carry out God's plan.
He knew the purpose for which he was to suffer, and he knew he would rise up again, defeating death for ever. He makes a statement toward this during the Last Supper as he ate with the disciples. "When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God...This is my body, given for you; do this in remembrance of me...this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you,'" (Luke 22:14, 19, 20). I imagine the disciples thought Jesus was talking crazy talk. Body? Blood? Kingdom? Jesus, where are you going? How long will you be gone? Suffer?
But you know what else I believe he felt alongside all the grief? Joy. I genuinely believe with all my heart that through all of this, Jesus felt inexplicable joy for what was coming. He knew that the people would gradually begin to understand who he is and what his purpose is for being there. They would see him die, and three days later they would find an empty tomb. And that empty tomb would mean that this man that they learned to love, follow, and admire for years was back and he was going to be with them for a much longer time.
This is not a simple concept to take in. Here we are thousands of years later and we still can't completely fathom that God sent his son to become a man, live this human life, be tempted beyond what most of us can bare, teach boldly to people who wanted nothing to do with him, and then be crucified for something he was not even guilty of doing. Those who knew Jesus and saw all of this first-hand could hardly believe it. And yet, it is historical truth. We believe it because we have faith that God is a good God and that he loves us so much that he did do exactly what I just spoke of. This is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed of believing. Our Savior is risen! He defeated death! Because he lives, we too can have life and have it to the full.
Christ died on the cross so that I may live. He wore those chains and took the mocking because he knew that someday I would be sitting on the bleachers in the rain, in the middle of the night, and I would look up at the Wilmore water tank cross as it glows in the sky, and I would tell him the story of his crucifixion and it would compel me to write this to you as I freeze. (And a year later, to finally write the rest of this and actually post it for you to read!) He died so that I may live a life that leads others to him. If he had never done that, none of us would be here today, and none of us would see the true glory of God's incredible all-encompassing love.
"'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 15: 55-57 (NIV)
God bless & Happy Easter to you all :)
