Crucifixion, a criminal’s death; at Golgotha, the Place of the Skull; these were the method and place used by the Romans occupying Jerusalem for criminals' death. “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” was the inscription Pilate placed above the cross of Christ. Earlier he had tried to persuade the Jews and the people to ask for Jesus to be released. Instead, they screamed the terrible words, “crucify him.” After spending so much time teaching, healing and even feeding them, I can’t imagine the pain Jesus must have felt on hearing their rejection. However, He knew His death was eminent. Jesus said, “I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and I have authority to take it up again.” (John 10:17-1) Jesus chose to die to fulfill the Father’s will and plan. The good that came out of Nazareth was for the good of all mankind.
Crucifixion was a brutal, humiliating and painful way to die. It was also used as a prolonged way to cause someone’s death. A person might live on a cross for hours or days. Usually, if the Romans wanted to end it rather quickly, and even more cruelly, they came by with an iron club and broke the legs of those hanging on the cross. Some believe this prevented the victims from supporting their weight and thereby asphyxiation would occur. Crucifixion was not pretty. Victims were divested of their clothing and their human dignity when hung on a cross.
With His legs still unbroken, Jesus used the little breath He had left to take care of important business. First, He showed repentance could lead to salvation even at the last minute. The thief on the cross was someone who had wasted his life, but gained eternity by calling on the name of Jesus in the last moments of life. Second, Jesus took care of personal business when He entrusted His own mother to John—the disciple whom Jesus loved. John writes about himself, “He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that the is telling the truth—that you also may believe.” (John 19:35-36) John knew the material of which he was writing, because he was there. He was an eyewitness of these happening. Lastly, Jesus exclaimed His last words, referencing Old Testament scriptures He knew were recognizable to the Jews. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do;" (Luke 23:34/Isaiah 53:12) “I thirst,” (John 19:28/Psalm 69:21) and “My God, My God why have you forsaken me,” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34/Psalm 22:1)
When I read Isaiah 53 and especially Psalm 22 this week, I felt as if it were possible that His last words with little breath were not only loaded with meaning, but may have been an extension to His prayer in John 17. Jesus could not physically utter the words of Psalm 22 while hanging on the cross, but perhaps they came from His heart and soul and were a message to His people saying…"see, recognize your Messiah. You have fulfilled scripture by hanging your Messiah on the cross."
Finally Jesus said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30) This again, made me think of prayer. He began His ministry with prayer in the wilderness. He sustained His ministry with prayer as He taught, healed and cast out demons. And, He ended His ministry on earth with prayer. Jesus was and continues to be a man of prayer as He intercedes for all. (Isaiah 53:12/John 17: / Romans 8:34 / Hebrews 7:25, 9:24)
Good Friday is a good day to reflect on the good that came from Nazareth, Jesus Messiah, who ever lives to make intercession for the saints.
PAINTINGS
TOP: Salvadore Dali / Christ of Saint John of the Cross
http://kennywordsmith.hubpages.com/hub/Dali-Christ-of-Saint-John-of-the-Cross
BOTTOM: Hyatt Moore / View from Above
http://www.hyattmoore.com/painting/View_from_Above
No comments:
Post a Comment