No matter how many times I read about what Christ endured on our behalf, I can never get through it with a dry eye. His life here on earth was a perfect, shining testimony to the unconditional and selfless love He freely offers to all. Hanging on a Cross in excruciating pain, Jesus continued His ministry; demonstrating grace, mercy, and love until the end.
“They took Jesus therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between.” (vs. 19:17-18)
Jesus, innocent and blameless, was made to be degraded by hanging the “King of the Jews”, between two common thieves. While one of the men joined in the crowd, mocking Jesus and hurling insults at Him, the other admitted his guilt. In faith, he asked the Lord to remember Him when He entered into His kingdom. And even with the physical pain He was experiencing, Jesus didn’t hesitate to give this man His unmerited grace saying, “Today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be.” (vs. 19:23-24)
Imagine Jesus looking down from His Cross and seeing the angry mob crying out for His death. he saw the mocking religious leaders, and the soldiers who had tortured Him, now gambling for pieces of His clothing. Filled with agony, Jesus looked upon them not with admonishment, but with mercy praying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
Bruised, battered, and nearing His death, Jesus wasn’t concerned with His own needs, but with those of His loved ones. Knowing that He would soon leave them, and that His mother and His dearest friend would each need the other. So Jesus told them to take care of and love each other as family. He wanted them both to receive the comfort they would soon need and, “From that hour, the disciple took her into his own household.” (vs. 19:27)
Tortured and nailed to a cross, no one would blame Jesus for being so overwhelmed by His pain and suffering, that He could think of nothing else. Yet instead He repeatedly demonstrated His incredible, selfless love for others; never wavering in His grace and mercy. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Christ endured all of this; the wounds, humiliation, and shame for the “joy set before Him.”
What is this joy? It’s you, it’s me, and all who would be saved through His death and resurrection. With His never ending love He gave His life, and with His dying breath He gave us life. Never again will we find condemnation, for as Jesus cried, “It is finished!” (vs. 19:30)