Oh I have been lost more and more in the Bible. It is TRUE what people say. The Bible Does read You. The Bible Does give you Life. I recently was studying the horror of the crucifixion. And the pain. And the conclusion of this part of the Story. I have been so stunned to really, really get it that Everything - Absolutely Everything - happening now is quite literally written in the Word.
So what were these last words on the cross?
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
Imagine praying for others through such pain and such a time as this? Praying FOR the perpetrators, those inflicting the pain and the death upon you? Jesus loved and loves us. You know, I never want the Cross or its equivalent yet I pray and pray that I am brave enough to do what God needs me to do when the times arise. And they are not always....acute pain and terror. I am working on kindness and genuine patience in my own home life. Even when under attack. Always knowing it is a Spiritual Fight - still, my human flesh fails me as I reach a new limit of....kindness? patience? love? and push on to a new limit beyond.
Forgive me, for I know not what I do Father.
"Today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43).
Again, thinking of another. Another one who rebuked and cursed him. Forgiving him as the thief changed his heart to the Lord - Jesus gave him such comfort. Jesus dies for every single one of us.
"Woman, behold your Son" "Behold your mother!" (John 19:26).
Still and again... thinking of others, of those suffering around Him! Entrusting his Mother to John. There is a law about first born sons taking care of their Mothers. Insisting the Apostle John take care of Mary, Jesus takes care of His Mother, John and honors the law.
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)
Haven't you really wondered about this verse? It has turned me over and over in my nascent ponderings about all things Jesus, Bible, Salvation. I still don't know the clearest way to understand or share it. It seems God cannot have His eyes, be in the present of, Evil. Sin. So God had to turn from His Son.
Okay, there is that.
Jesus chose to take on our sins, the sins of the entire world. Did He think His father had turned away? That doubt... would be fear... and that would be Sin.
CORINTHIANS:
19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
"I thirst" (John 19:28)
The full human suffering is made further evident. All things are complete, and He can share and express His human condition. Like us. Human. Suffering. Pain.
"It is finished" (John 19:30)
Tetelestai. It is Finished.
Victory over Evil. Satan has Lost. It is Finished.
The prophecy is fulfilled. It is Finished.
The Salvation of Mankind has been provided. It is Finished.
Oh the Human suffering is completed. It is Finished.
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46)
Upon His last breathand statement, Jesus died. He said He would lay down His Life for His Sheep.
FOR ME. It blows me away. I weep with gratitude, Jesus. Every Day. Every Time. Thank You.
JOHN 10:17-18
17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
