Why did Jesus suffer the agony of the Cross?
The event that changed the world forever: Jesus’ death and resurrection!
Immediately, my thoughts upon waking this morning have been focused on the significance of what Christians around the world remember today- the day that Jesus willingly sacrificed his life in the cruelest of ways that mankind could imagine.
I am thinking about:
- all that Jesus willingly suffered and endured while being scourged cruelly and repeatedly, full force with a whip that that had iron balls, leather thongs and sheep bones to cause deep contusions which cut into subcutaneous tissues causing lacerations that would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles and produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh.
- how He was mocked, insulted and adorned with a crown made of sharp thorns that pierced into his head.
- In his very weak condition, the cross was laid on his beaten, bloody back to carry it to the Calvary hill until he could 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 that cross up so that all Jesus’ weight was pulling 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 The plan was 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.
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.
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: 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
He offers eternal life, salvation for all who will believe, turn away from their sin, take up their cross to follow Him and trust in Him to have their sins forgiven.
Significantly, we should pay close attention to His words. He did not say, I am a way, he said,” I am The Way.”
With this in mind, if Jesus’ claim of being The Way, not just one of many ways, to eternal life with God, confuses, surprises or offends you, this article “Is Jesus the only way to heaven?” will be helpful to understand why Jesus is the exclusive way to eternal life.
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.
