Why did Jesus suffer the agony of the Cross?
Immediately, my thoughts upon waking this morning have been focused on the significance of what Christians around the world remember today- Jesus great sacrificial love! The day that Jesus willingly endured the agony of the cross. His life was freely given as He allowed himself to be killed in the cruelest of ways that mankind could imagine.
The event that changed the world forever: Jesus’ death and resurrection!
I am thinking about:
- all that Jesus willingly suffered and endured while being scourged cruelly and repeatedly. This was done with full force using a whip that that had iron balls, leather thongs and sheep bones. The iron balls, leather thongs and sheep bones caused deep contusions which cut into subcutaneous tissues causing lacerations. These lacerations tore into the underlying skeletal muscles and produced quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh.
- how Jesus was mocked, insulted and adorned with a crown made of sharp thorns that pierced into his head.
- the cross was laid on his beaten, bloody back to carry it to the Calvary hill until he could carry it no longer. Then a man named Simon was required to carry it the remaining distance.
- the soldiers hammering long spikes through his hands and feet and then raising the cross up. Jesus’ body weight then pulled Him down making it almost impossible to breathe!
- the fact that Jesus had the power at any time during this torturous treatment to change his mind about finishing God’s plan. Matthew 26:53 God, the Father’s plan that Jesus, who was sinless, was to be the perfect and final sacrificial lamb for all sin, yours and mine.
- Jesus’ costly sacrifice and His gift of salvation and am so thankful that He was willing to endure all of that for me….and you… and for all who will come to Him.
Jesus’ words to the women who were so sorrowful as they witnessed His suffering as He climbed the hill with the cross.
Finally, I think about the wise words He spoke to the women along the road to the cross who were mourning and lamenting how Jesus was being treated so cruelly. He said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” Luke 23:28
In other words, Jesus essentially told them, “Don’t weep for Me, weep for those who reject Me.”
Please do not be one of those who reject Jesus.
On the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for our sin!
To be sure, if this was the end of the story, we would still have no hope for eternal life in the presence of God. But Jesus victoriously rose from the dead on Sunday. You can read the awesome story of Jesus resurrection here: Resurrection Day – Creates Offer for New Life and Forgiveness
Jesus persevered to the end! He stayed on that horrible cross until He died. His last words were “It is finished, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”
Jesus said during His ministry: “I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Jesus offers us eternal life! This offer of salvation and forgiveness of sin, is to all who will believe and put their trust in Him. We must acknowledge our sin, our need for God’s forgiveness and choose to turn away from it. Jesus then calls us to take up our cross and follow Him.
Notably, Jesus did NOT say, I am a way, he said,” I am The Way.” We should pay close attention to His words!
With this in mind, Jesus’ claim of being The Way to spending eternal life with Him , may confuse, surprise or offend you. If so, this article will be helpful to understand why Jesus is the exclusive way to eternal life. “Is Jesus the only way to heaven?”
A solemn warning about neglecting the cross of Jesus
We are given a solemn warning in the bible about neglecting to take the Message of the cross seriously!
So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? Hebrews 2:3 NLT
Jesus paid it all – all to Him I owe! These are the words of a beautiful old hymn written by Elvina M Hall in the early 1800’s. Jesus’ gift of eternal life is offered to us free but it was very costly for Him.
I urge you to seek after God! Don’t delay!
We never know when our last breath will be granted to us.
The lyrics of this beautiful song, How Deep the Father’s Love For Us are very fitting and the version is very contemplative. As you listen, meditate on His great gift. Remember, a gift is yours only if you receive it.
Beautiful.
Hi Lorna, thank you for letting me know. I really liked the article. And I’ll tell you that, like you, I’ve reflected a lot today on how much God loves me, since only He gave His Son for us. Today I went to church, and the service was great. I felt the Holy Spirit touch me with all His love in the church during that time. I had a wonderful experience, and I’m very grateful to God for everything He does for us.