7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:7-8)
It’s easy to dwell on God’s love, forgiveness, and grace. But every Sunday, when I take communion in remembrance of my Lord’s sacrifice that made my salvation possible, I shudder. His predeath torture, as well as the horrific death that death on a cross was, is suffering beyond what I can comprehend.
Here’s the section of When Wounds Heal where Jedidiah recalls all that he learned about Christ’s suffering on our behalf:
Tears welled in Jedidiah’s eyes as he thought about the last days of Jesus’ life. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed so fervently he sweated blood, then one of his disciples betrayed him. He was tried and found to have done nothing wrong but was stripped, tied to a tree, and flogged until he suffered blood loss and shock anyway. Still, the Jews, God’s chosen people, shouted, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.” The Roman soldiers dressed him in a purple robe then pressed and pounded a crown of thorns into his head. They mocked and spat on him. He buckled under the weight of his cross, unable to carry it himself. His executioners divided his clothing among themselves. On the cross, the spikes securing him ripped his hands and feet as he lifted himself to breathe and ripped them again when he fell back down when he could no longer hold himself up. He said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” When He finally asked for a drink, they gave him a vinegar-soaked sponge. With his mission complete, he said, “It is finished,” and died. Jedidiah reached up and swiped a tear that dripped down his cheek away with his hand.
I wrote this section of When Wounds Heal after studying all four gospel accounts of Jesus’ last days and historical accounts. Jesus was a man just like you and I and He submitted Himself to His Father’s will and suffered beyond imagination for me and for you. He did that for us. It is a gift none of us will ever deserve.
On Sunday when we celebrate Christ’s victory over that death when Holy Spirit raised Him from the dead.
11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11)
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. (Acts 2:32-33)
On Sunday, you will likely hear this verse quoted:
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
I’m not discounting the love of God the Father. He sent His only begotten Son into this world for the soul purpose of suffering and dying for us. The love of God the Son and the things He chose to suffer by humbling Himself to will of His Father simply takes my breath away.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesians 5:2)
Remember the love and sacrifice of God and His only begotten Son, Christ. Remember Christ’s victory over death, resurrected by the Holy Spirit. Remember it gave us access to salvation through the death. burial and resurrection of Christ.
To access the greatest gift ever given, forgiveness of sin, we must do as Peter told those listening to him on the Day of Pentecost.
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
HAVE A BLESSED EASTER!
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