Our focus the cross
Matthew 27: 38 – 43
I’m a people watcher. When traveling, a layover at the Airport is not a point of misery---but an opportunity to observe the differences in people--- the way they look, the way they dress, their fashion statements--- Parents dealing with children, families traveling together---- seeing their JOY and Excitement--- transfers to those around them--- and we all become a little more joyful as we travel.
Today we are going to talk about Jesus and the Cross upon which HE died. But we are going to look at the people who were standing by and watching Jesus and the two thieves’ die---
**** read scripture ****
THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders,[a] said, 42 “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel,[b] let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.[c] 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
While Jesus was being paraded through the streets of Jerusalem and out to be Crucified--- Did He look into the eyes of those who lined the streets--- Did He see them--- as they cursed Him, spit upon Him, Laughed at Him, did He see them--- or was He so overcome by their expressions of Hatred and Bitterness that He could not look upon the Creation turning on the Creator…..
Something like the mad scientist creates---- and then the Monster turns on its creator and kills him…..
As we read Matthew’s account of what is taking place--- we see the Authorities Mocking Jesus as He was hanging on the Cross. There the Son of God was dying and the members of the Sanhedrin were shouting at Jesus to Save Himself….. Come Down from the Cross--- And we will believe You..
The Miracles Jesus performed were NOT enough for them to believe. The Raising of Lazarus from the Dead was NOT enough--- HOWEVER, IF YOU come down from the Cross--- THEN we’ll believe in YOU. If they didn’t believe in Jesus as the Son of God before He was Nailed to the Cross--- why would they believe in Him if He came down.
I doubt very seriously that if He had come down they would have believed--- after all IT was a TRICK---- BLACK MAGIC of sorts…..
Then there were others who were shouting “You who destroy the Temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! IF you are the Son of God, come down from the cross”
Have you ever stopped and thought for just a minute or two about what Jesus was thinking when His fellow countrymen were mocking Him. Treating Him with little if any RESPECT!
Did Jesus see some of the same faces who only a few days earlier Welcomed Him as the Conquering Hero into the City of Jerusalem? Now these same faces were defaming Him, mocking Him, jeering Him, and seeking His Death…. Oh, how His heart must have been breaking.
I wonder about what images were racing through His mind and memory---- as these insults were being hurled at Him --- AS HE was in such agony--- What was on His Mind…..?
As the Pain, the Agony and Stress on His body began to take hold, Did He think of the Beginning of Time---- When He and His Heavenly Father created the Universe--- the Stars, the Planets, the Cosmos--- Did Jesus reflect on the Creation of the Earth--- Did He think of how He had formed the Earth in His hands--- how the Seas were made, and the Mountains were formed. Did He think of the Birds of the air as He watched them flying over His Bloody Body.
Did He remember the day when He took a lump of clay and formed Man. Was He remembering how each tiny bone was made, the muscles and ligaments which held the structure of the human body together---. As Jesus watched clinched fists being shaken at Him, did He think of how He created the Human Hand, and now how that wonderful hand was used to DRIVE the NAILS into His own hands. And as He is hanging on the Cross, these marvelous hands are being used as expressions Anger and Hatred toward Him.
Was He remembering walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden---- or the day when Adam and Eve fell from Grace.
Did He remember NOAH, and how the Earth was flooded and how this Righteous man and his family were saved----- Was Jesus reflecting on the Covenant made between Man and God and the Rainbow.
Did Jesus consider the TENTH Plague, the Angel of DEATH who passed through Egypt? Did it ever cross His mind to call on the Host of Heaven and have them descend upon the crowd and the Romans--- and completely destroy them?
If wonder if the thoughts of David vs. Goliath ever crossed His mind? An entire Nation against one individual….. What would Jesus have done, if He had, had a sling in His hand?
Like you, I am trapped in a Human mind and Human Emotions. Knowing that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, my first reaction is to destroy those who were putting my God to death.
If I were to look at the faces of those who were at the Cross, my heart would have been filled with rage against them---- My hands too would have been clinched, and my fists would have been swinging at those who were jeering my Lord.
However, I am a mere mortal--- with limited understanding and knowledge--- And I must realize that the Ways of God and His Plans are far beyond my understanding-----.
AS Jesus looked at those faces that day---- AS He looked into the eyes of His accusers and those who were charged with His execution--- He did so not with Anger or Revenge--- But He looked upon them with LOVE….
The TEARS in His eyes were not from the Pain of His Beating, or the Agony He was feeling from the Nails in His hands and Feet----
These were TEARS of Compassion which Christ had for those He saw before Him. HE knew their Sins, their Hearts, and Because of the Love He had for each of them, He stayed on the Cross and Died---- So that HE could become our Lord and Savior.
He NOT only looked upon them with Love and Compassion, but He cried out to His Heavenly Father and said,
“Father, Forgive them---“ When He could have called for their deaths and for them to be swallowed up in the Earth--- Jesus seeks their Forgiveness.
Where we would have sought their destruction, Jesus sought their Hearts.
Where we would be full of vengeance---- HE is NOT. And I thank God --- that My Lord and Savior is NOT so full of Wrath, that He would not also be filled with Mercy.
As a SINNER, I have to remember that I am just as guilty as anyone for putting Jesus on the Cross. It was my hand holding the Hammer which drove the Nails into His hands and feet.
It was my hand that held the whip with which Jesus received the 39 Lashes---- It was my Voice that mocked Him, and cursed Him as He walked through the streets of Jerusalem….
Everything the crowd around the cross was feeling, are my feeling as well---- I am a SINNER--- an imperfect human being, full of human emotions, and worldly struggles….
I have disappointed God and Jesus as much as anyone outside this church---- Jesus could have very easily called for my Death and Destruction----- as He could have called for the death of the Crowd on that Good Friday…..
But He is more than a mere mortal---- He is The Son of God, He is NOT bound by Human feelings and emotions. HE transcends our understanding and teaches us--- of Love--- True Love and Forgiveness…… And as He looked at the people that day and sought God for their forgiveness---- He has done the very same for me and you.
Every time you’ve lost your temper with someone, when your heart has been filled with bitterness and anger. When Jealousy has filled your mind---- and sinful, lustful desire has drawn you away from God----- Jesus was there--- standing between you and the wrath of God--- saying, “Father, Forgive them---“.
Remember the times you’ve lost your temper and used His HOLY name as a Curse Word----- or you Cursed the Church or its members---- Jesus knew your pain and anguish--- and once again He spoke and said, “Father, Forgive them---“
We may think we are better than those in the Mob or crowd that day when Jesus was put to death, but we are NOT…. HE died for them and for us--- so that ALL who believe in Him can have Eternal Life…..
When Jesus looked at the Crowd that Day, HE saw your Face also---- HE knew your Sins and YOUR failures--- and He became your Sacrifice for your Sins….. His precious BLOOD, was shed for each of us----
The Law of Moses, teaches us,
1. Hebrews 9:22
And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
It took the Blood of the Perfect Lamb of God to cover our Sins so that ---- through the His Death and Resurrection we can be made SINLESS as we stand before a HOLY GOD and enter into God’s Heaven….
Jesus died for you ---- why not come now and receive Him as the LORD of your life--- and be forgiven of your Sins….
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