Just four small words, but they are words that both reveal the depth of our need and the limitless hope we have received. John has here compressed the greatest fact in history into four plain little words, “Where they crucified Him...” John 19:18
Where – the most spiritually privileged place in the world, Jerusalem, the Holy City. Just outside the city walls, the Holiest person died the most unholy death in earth’s most holy place.
They – both Jew and Gentile had a hand in the dark crime of the cross, and the
whole world stands guilty before God. Pilate, a Gentle ruler, gave the verdict and committed Jesus to the tree and Gentile soldiers carried out the verdict. Yet here is a great mystery, that the devoutly religious leaders of a professedly holy nation were the ones who rejected Jesus and insisted upon his death.
Crucified – between two thieves; this was the most shameful punishment existing, the extreme limit of the Roman law. The cross meant the lowest form of death. To be crucified – too awful a sight for creation to see, the Creator dying in nakedness, shame, and anguish. Thus nature provided a robe of darkness.
Him – the most exalted Person ever, Jesus the Son of God. Savior, Friend, Maker, God…He was crucified to pay my penalty and yours, for our sin, there at Calvary.
These four words, from John 19:18, compress the awful fact of the crucifixion into one terse line; yet this is only the beginning of the story. For today we think of the cross, of the sacrifice, of the anguish that Jesus bore for us, yet soon it will be the dawning of Resurrection Sunday – the day of overcoming, of hope, of unending grace extended to mankind.
What kind of love is this, which suffers so much for us? Today marks the fortieth anniversary of my (Cara’s) spiritual birthday. It was a Good Friday, and I was very young, when this sacrifice on the cross first turned my thoughts to Christ, first touched my heart in wonder at this amazing love. I have never stopped feeling that sense of awe at His willingness to lay aside the crown of heaven to take that crown of thorns.
Those four little words were the door into relationship with God, for me way back then. They are still just as powerful, still just as true. I hope they are a doorway into deeper relationship with God for you, today, Good Friday, 2012.
(based on The Crucifixion of Christ, in Classic Christianity Vol 1)
Where – the most spiritually privileged place in the world, Jerusalem, the Holy City. Just outside the city walls, the Holiest person died the most unholy death in earth’s most holy place.
They – both Jew and Gentile had a hand in the dark crime of the cross, and the
whole world stands guilty before God. Pilate, a Gentle ruler, gave the verdict and committed Jesus to the tree and Gentile soldiers carried out the verdict. Yet here is a great mystery, that the devoutly religious leaders of a professedly holy nation were the ones who rejected Jesus and insisted upon his death.
Crucified – between two thieves; this was the most shameful punishment existing, the extreme limit of the Roman law. The cross meant the lowest form of death. To be crucified – too awful a sight for creation to see, the Creator dying in nakedness, shame, and anguish. Thus nature provided a robe of darkness.
Him – the most exalted Person ever, Jesus the Son of God. Savior, Friend, Maker, God…He was crucified to pay my penalty and yours, for our sin, there at Calvary.
These four words, from John 19:18, compress the awful fact of the crucifixion into one terse line; yet this is only the beginning of the story. For today we think of the cross, of the sacrifice, of the anguish that Jesus bore for us, yet soon it will be the dawning of Resurrection Sunday – the day of overcoming, of hope, of unending grace extended to mankind.
What kind of love is this, which suffers so much for us? Today marks the fortieth anniversary of my (Cara’s) spiritual birthday. It was a Good Friday, and I was very young, when this sacrifice on the cross first turned my thoughts to Christ, first touched my heart in wonder at this amazing love. I have never stopped feeling that sense of awe at His willingness to lay aside the crown of heaven to take that crown of thorns.
Those four little words were the door into relationship with God, for me way back then. They are still just as powerful, still just as true. I hope they are a doorway into deeper relationship with God for you, today, Good Friday, 2012.
(based on The Crucifixion of Christ, in Classic Christianity Vol 1)
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