http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027&version=ESV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2015&version=ESV
There has only been one man who was innocent for the entire span of his life. Jesus is that man. He was fully God and fully man and these passages portray the ultimate betrayal of the creator of the world. Their very being was spoken into existence by the Almighty but the leaders spoke out and asked for Pilate to crucify the King of kings and Lord of lords.
The best way to understand the Gospel account of Christ's sacrifice is to remember the Old Testament prophecies, especially Isaiah and some of the Psalms. Christ was ever mindful of the cost of this payment for sins, yet He did not cry out in protest and He did not accuse those gathered against Him.
We see many different reactions to Jesus in these verses. Judas is remorseful but not repentant. He regrets what he has done, but he does not go to the only one that can grant him true peace. If Judas had truly been repentant, he would have sought out Jesus and asked for forgiveness. It would not have been easy but God's Hand could reach out to save even Judas if only the betrayer was truly willing to turn from his wickedness. Instead, he chose to deliver himself to death and attempted to assume the role of God by committing suicide. No matter how dark the night is, there is just hope in Christ and there is another way of escape. His suicide was the ultimate rejection of God's love as there was no more turning back from the realm of the grave.
The leaders of the Jews and Pilate allowed their pride, position, and power to control them. Even though Pilate gave lip service to removing himself from blame, his actions clearly showed that he valued expediency over the truth. The soldiers mocked and jeered, relying upon their physical power and denying the reality of a world which they could not see and touch.
Some chose to follow Christ's example. Simon of Cyrene helped bear our Lord's burden when the Savior was too fragile and too beaten to carry such a heavy load. This shows the extent of Christ's humanity and the brutality of the crucifixion. Joseph respected the body of Jesus and fulfilled Scripture by providing a new tomb. The women gathered round the cross and ministered to Him at the end just as they had ministered to Him while He was traveling across Israel.
We know their responses, but what is your response to the cross? Is it a stumbling block or a stepping stone? Does it open your eyes to the eternal where you can embrace Jesus and say, "Thank You for the Cross" or do you shut up your heart and turn your back on the only one who can truly save?
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There has only been one man who was innocent for the entire span of his life. Jesus is that man. And this man was crucified.
ReplyDeleteAnd this fact makes the devil a murderer. Murderers have no rights in the courts of heaven. The judgment has been rendered and the sentence shall be carried out soon. The devil always overplays his hand. He did it here with our Lord and he does it with us in our life.
1 Cor 2:8
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Heb 2:14-15
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
We have nothing to fear now. All our sins have been forgiven and all our fears are now rendered powerless against us. When we were enemies of God he died for us, how much more now when we love Him shall He guide us and comfort us through everything which troubles us.