Thursday, March 17, 2011
Matthew 26:20-24 ... But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!"
IT'S LENT: WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH JESUS?
When we consider the mob scenes of the Passion History, it is possible to feel ourselves superior to people "easily mislead into the worst sort of sins against Jesus." It is also possible to view the drama of Christ's suffering and death, from Gethsemane to Calvary, and be filled with nothing more than pity and sorrow for the bruised and bleeding Christ. Something like watching a sad play or movie, having a good cry -- and going unconcernedly on about our lives.
In the case of Christ's suffering, that would be a tragedy.
As we consider the Passion History of Christ, above all we need to see and believe that Christ suffered on account of our sins which He bore in obedience to the Father and out of love for us. If we know this we understand our sinful condition leads us into the same sort of sins we hear described in the Passion History -- and our sins nailed Him to the cross as surely as those of the mob that screamed for His blood.
When we view Jesus' suffering rightly, pity gives way to deeply felt sorrow for our sin and its terrible results -- and to great joy that Christ was willing to make this sacrifice for us.
Clearly it is vital that we go beyond an emotional response to Jesus' suffering and dying, and with careful thought consider its meaning for our heart's deepest needs. For when we look at the cross of Christ with faith, we know that God accepts us as His own for Jesus' sake, that trusting in Christ we have forgiveness of sin and look forward to heaven.
