Psalm 22:1 AMPC
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
Isaiah 53:5 AMPC
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
John 19:1-4 NLT
Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. [2] The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. [3] "Hail! King of the Jews!" they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. [4] Pilate went outside again and said to the people, "I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty."
On this Good Friday, more than any other we remember what it cost Jesus to save us.
Each beat of that cruel leaded whip on Jesus' surrendered flesh was buying healing for humanity.
Although He suffered a fake trial on trumped up charges, Pilate declared Him "not guilty!"
Yet that was how a truly innocent Lamb of God was led to His death, divinely forsaken on the Cross.
This really is staggeringly holy ground.
The Passion of Jesus absolutely undresses the treacherous nature of our humanity.
Judas using a kiss to betray Him, Peter denying that he even knew Jesus, ALL the disciples deserting Him.
The crowd that had cried hosanna a week before, now yelled "crucify Him".
The sadistic Roman soldiers got a kick out of torturing and mocking Him.
Even Simon had to be coerced into helping the dying Jesus carry His Cross to Golgotha.
The final inexplicable desertion was revealed in His cry to His Father:
"Why have You forsaken Me?"
Jesus became a curse for us on that Cross, bearing every sin, sickness and sorrow - yes even yours and mine - to bring us salvation.
Such love takes my breath away!
Comments