Some Lessons From the Cross

Art thou the King of the Jews?

...And Jesus said unto him (Pilate),

“Thou sayest.”

Matthew 27:11b

With this being the Easter season, I've been thinking about those latter days of Jesus prior to His crucifixion. There's much to be learned from Jesus' life all through the Gospels, but I find some things of very practical use in those crises days when Jesus was up against more cruelty and unfairness than we could ever imagine.

One thing especially has stood out to me as Jesus faced the false accusations and horrible treatment. There are songs about Jesus never saying a single word in all of the trial and torture process. Those songs are wrong. All we have to do is read the Gospel accounts and see where Jesus did speak, but what He said was in answering questions posed by authorities. He could have spoken up more than He did. He could have with a snap of His finger done great damage to any of His enemies but didn't.

I think the thing about Jesus' “last words” was that whatever He did say During trials or from the cross, was never with complaining, defending Himself, bitterness or threatening. No one ever went through what Jesus did. He was not only going through the crucifixion process but was also taking on the sin of mankind. No one else ever did what He did. I had to think on a personal level when I am hurt by another or misunderstood, am I prepared to just keep my mouth shut about it, letting God take care of the situation.

Philippians 2:5 tells us to “Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus....” As we think about Jesus, Who and all He is/was, we are commanded to do the same. We will be tested on a verse like that and we will be expected to be as much like Him as possible. As we read about Jesus in the Gospels, we find that it wasn't just at the time of His trial that He set a guard over His speech. He was careful of His speech at all times whether in dealing with disciples, religious leaders, close friends or family members.

I've had people in my life as I'm sure some readers have had as well, who set out to deliberately do damage to me. That's what Jesus faced with officials out to destroy Him. As I've gone through the ire and bitterness of some, it's been hurtful. Jesus knew those hurtful times in his ministry, and prior to His crucifixion as well.

The other thing I see in Jesus' last hours that have meant much to me were some things Jesus said from the cross. I've often heard well-meaning folks say that we should never ask God, “Why?” My reply to them is that if Jesus could ask His Father that same question from the cross, in our following Him I feel I too can ask the same in the hearing of a very loving Heavenly Father who understands my hurts and weaknesses more than anyone I know.

One of the biggest things Jesus prayed from the cross has also had great effect on me. He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” To me, this had to be a most difficult prayer for Jesus under His very human circumstances. It was all so unjust. No one apologized to Him for their wrong doing but He forgave and forgave big time. You and I know that He didn't deserve death on a cross, but chose that way to not be a martyr but to be our redeemer and Savior. I can't imagine the horrible pain He endured in every way...physical, emotional and spiritual all wrapped up in one. He didn't just pray that prayer of forgiveness for the soldiers around the cross. That prayer was prayed for you and me as He paid the price for our sin. Through it all, He redeemed us, saved us, sacrificed for us, conquered death for us and showed His love for us beyond what we can fathom. If Jesus can forgive under those circustances, who am I to fail to forgive even if an offender doesn't know I've forgiven her.

As I have viewed these things Jesus has shown me, that I have to ask what direction I intend to go. You and I are to love, pray for and yes forgive those who wrong us. We're called upon to do all three no matter who the person might be. I must rest in my relationship with Jesus, putting into practice those things He's brought to my attention anew in this wonderful season of the year. All three are difficult when circumstances are trying, but God's grace is sufficient for our every need. Jesus provided it all for us. For us, Easter should be every day of the year in the practice of our very expensively purchased salvation. Because of Jesus, we walk in victory over Satan and sin.

“Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.”

Thank You Father for sending Your Son to die for me and all others. Thank you Jesus for being willing to give of Yourself, thus enabling me to walk in victory over sin and death. I love You today like at no other time. I pray I will be aware that everyday is Easter in my life. Amen