Matthew 27: 32 - 56
Some observations to consider:
1. Golgotha. We are such products of our western art - the painting of 3 crosses standing alone on a hillside. We also sing; "On a hill far away ... " and I had always envisioned an isolated scene away from the masses of a busy city. But that is not the way things happened in Jerusalem under Roman occupation. Crucifixion was used as execution. But crucifixion was also used as a deterrent to all people. It said to the occupied territories, "Don't cross Rome or this very thing could happen to you." The place of the skull marked one of the main thoroughfares that led out of the city of Jerusalem. It was highly traveled. It was not "far away". Perhaps the writer of that hymn meant far away from our Western world. But it was not far away from Jerusalem. I live in Houston, TX. It would be as if these crosses were put up on I 45 going out of the city ... seen by masses of humanity coming into and going out of the city. And remember, it is Passover week. Very public. The humiliation beyond anything I can even comprehend.
2. Jesus refused the wine with gall offered him. I read that some of the wealthy women of Jerusalem offered this drink as a drug - something to dull the pain - an act of mercy. Why did he refuse that help? Perhaps it was so that he would accept death at its most bitter and most grim - so that he would know physical pain at its most grim - so that he could stand by you when you must suffer physical pain.
3. Jesus cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Why did he cry such a thing?
a. Perhaps he cried out because he truly felt the weight of all human sin at that moment. Perhaps as he became sin he felt the inevitable separation from God that sin causes. Paul expressed it well in 2 Corinthians 5:21:
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
b. Or perhaps there was something more human happening here. Perhaps at this moment Jesus felt that ache of abandonment that we often feel when we it seems that life cannot get worse - when we feel that God has abandoned us. William Barclay expresses it well:
Here we see Jesus plumbing the uttermost depths of the human situation, so that there might be no place that we might go where he has not been before.
4. The "loud voice cry" in verse 50 is further explained by John in his gospel writing. He tells us in John 19:30 that Jesus' cry was "It is finished!" In Greek, this is one word - tetelestai. This word is a victor's shout. It is the cry of someone who has completed their task. It is the cry of someone who has won through a struggle. Jesus died a victor - with the cry of victory on his lips!
5. The torn curtain in the Temple and the opened graves. Some scholars read this as literally happening. Others believe it is figurative language. If it is symbolic ... notice what is revealed:
a. The way to God is now open! No longer a curtain, a barrier, between mankind and the presence of God. The life and death of Jesus show us what God is like. We can know ... we can see.
b. Death is conquered. The grave no longer holds terror and tragedy. That door has been opened.
6. The first fruit of the cross was a Roman centurion. Jesus had said "I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:32). The way for the Gentile has been opened and we see evidence of the opening through a Roman soldier.
7. There was a band of women that did not abandon the scene - they did not abandon their master. Why did they have the courage to stay? We don't know for certain. Perhaps they did not run because they were women ... and considering the insignificant place women held in that society ... perhaps they posed no threat and so had no reason to be afraid. Or ... perhaps ... it is as John writes in 1 John 4:18: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drive out fear ...". Perhaps these women did not run because they loved Jesus purely, deeply, and, therefore, refused to be afraid.
Let's close this reflection by meditating on some questions for ourselves:
* Do I look to Jesus when my own pain sears its way into my very being? Do I hold His hand?
* Do I recognize the incredible companionship that I am offered in Jesus? There is truly
NOTHING I must bear that He has not already born.
* How is my love relationship with Jesus? Is it strong enough to "cast out fear"?
What am I currently afraid of? How can loving Jesus deal with that fear?
Lord ... we are stunned into silence at the foot of the cross. Help us comprehend more fully. Help us understand more deeply. How can our lives express gratitude for this incredible gift? Help us ...
No comments:
Post a Comment