Jesus is not only an all-powerful and glorious Lord, he is also the savior who suffered for us. Matthew recorded many of his miracles: healing, casting out demon, selecting disciples, teaching the crowd. The purpose of Jesus on this world, however, is not just to be a great teacher. Jesus clearly knew that God would fulfill His plan of salvation for all mankind through him. From Matthew 16:21 onward, Jesus prophesied his sufferings and his sacrifice for the sins of this world many times. When praying in Gethsemane, he clearly knew that the time had come. He was willing followed God's will, and he walked onto the path of the cross.
.
Today we live in a time where it is very difficult for us to experience the humiliation and suffering brought on by a cross. In fact, crucifixion was the cruelest punishment of the time: nailing a person on to wood with three nails. Then the cross is lift up so that the person's whole weight rests on those three nails. The person on the cross will die after a painful struggle. This is a punishment that any person, who is sensible, who has feelings, wants to avoid. But Jesus undertook this suffering in silence. What he undertook was not only pain of broken heart, but also pain of flesh, which is more than what we can imagine.
.
What's wonderful is that when we remember the day that the Lord suffered for us, we call this day Good Friday. Once I saw a Chinese newspaper translate this into "wonderful Friday". This was a painful day and it should be called "black Friday". How did it become a "wonderful Friday"? It is because of our Lord fulfilled our wonderful salvation on the cross. What the cross manifested is the greatest sacrifice. Not only was the sacrifice Jesus forsaking Himself, but the sacrifice was also our God father forsaking His own son. In front of the St. Paul's Cathedral in London, there is a giant marble statue of Jesus writhing in anguish on the cross. Beneath the statue, the inscription says: "This is how God loved the world." Do you truly know the humiliation and sacrifice the Lord endured for you and me? Once you understand, you will love the Lord even more!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.