And Jesus said "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." This is quoted from Matthew 16:24. Today I was again reminded of Jesus unfailing love for me. I was making my way home from work today, when I saw a group of young men and women carrying crosses throughout downtown Lincolnton. What a sight this was. I quickly honked my horn and waved at them. I couldn't help but to wonder what it must have been like to be a disciple, sitting at a table with the Messiah and having what would be their last supper together. My mind begin to quickly wonder. How much different am I from Judas and Peter? Every day I fall short of this glory, and yet he was willing to die for me on a cross! He was ridiculed, beatten and denied. He was made a mockery of and yet, even at that moment, he knew that was the only way to save me of my sins. His blood was shed for me, so that I might have eternal life. If that isn't love, then I don't know what is. My mind drifted to the Garden of Gethsemane. I wonder what must have been going through Judas mind when he betrayed Jesus that night with a kiss? I wonder what it must have been like to be the soilder who had his ear cut off by Peter and then healed by Jesus? What were his thoughts? How many times could Jesus have said no, and in one instant everything could have stopped? But no, he didn't he said "not my will, but yours be done" He did not petiton his Father. He prayed earnestly. He obeyed his Father and he did it without complaint.
He allowed the soilders to take him. He allows the jewish leaders to condemn him, and yet he still acknowledges that he is the son of God. He did this all for you and me. He allows Pontius Pilate to give him a death sentence. The days to follow, Jesus would endure unmeasureable pain. I can't even begin to fathom the pain and sufferning he endured. They placed a crown of thorns upon his head and before he is nailed to the cross a sign is written simply stating "INRI" meaning King of the Jews. How many times do we make a mockery of him? I wonder what it must have been like to be a part of the crowds that day? Would I pick up my cross and follow him, or would I be among those yelling "crucify him"?
I think about Mary and how her heart must have been shattered into a million pieces. She knew what was happening to her son, and yet she could do absolutely nothing about it. What if I were in her shoes? I then began to think about the two criminals that were also crucified that day, one on the left and one on the right side of Jesus. To hear Jesus utter the words to the one "truly I say to you, that today you shall be with me in paradise." Even while Jesus is hanging on a cross in agony and pain beyond belief, he shows his love for all man kind. This criminial now had assurance that he would be by Jesus side.
My mind then comes to Jesus. I try to put myself in that place that very day. My mind has often dwelt among this. All the depictions that I have ever seen, seem to be the first things that run through my head. I picture the sky as a deep dark grey, I can see the three crosses, but it has always been hard for me to visualize the criminals. I seem to be fixated upon Jesus. I see a man in a purple robe, he appears lifeless. It hurts me to look upon his body. I can see blood literally pouring from him, and the crown of thorns driven into his head. His eyes always seem to stand out because even though his body appears lifeless, his eyes have seen the glory. That is what I envision when I think about the cross. I think about God's love and the compassion he had in his heart even while hanging there. He suffered, bled and died for me, but mostly I think about these words "it is finished." God had paid the ultimate penalty, he gave his life for mine.
I hope that when you think of the cross, you think about God's love for you. I hope that you too have your own depiction of what it must have been like that day. Most of all, I want you to remember that his story does not end there. On the third day, Jesus rose again, and he is still alive today. Let that not be forgotten!
And Jesus said "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." When can we say "It is finished?"
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