Jesus was an ordinary human being, there was nothing about him that naturally attracted people to him except the message he preached and the miracles he did. Yet he caused enough of a stir to have people hate or fear him to want him removed permanently and in a way that would crush any chance of a revival or rebellion.
We know that Jesus was more than an ordinary human being. He was and is the Son of God. Nevertheless to the people on the street he was amazing, for some most definitely a prophet, for others just a man, for others the Son of God.
And then he dies…in a way so shameful that he is cursed according to Jewish tradition.
And God mourns. And nature mourns with him.
Cast your mind back to his birth.
A star so significant lights the sky that wise men from a different country spot it and follow it.
Angels fill the skies above the fields and the shepherds witness heaven glorifying the birth of Jesus.
Glory to God in the Highest and peace on earth to all mankind.
God celebrated.
But now God mourns, and his creation mourns with him.
Where the skies previously danced with angels, the sun stops shining.
The eclipse brings darkness of three hours.
In a superstitious climate, where people worshipped the moon and the sun this would have scared people.
Creation mourns the death of their creator.
The curtain in the Temple tears in two as Jesus breathes his last.
The Temple was believed to be the point where heaven touches earth or indeed earth touches heaven. It was sacred ground. And for the curtain to tear, quite literally the fabric of the Jewish faith was torn in two. Everything that they knew about God, the Holy of Holies, atonement and sacrifice, was rewritten in a moment.
God mourns the death of his child.
And yet even in that moment the centurion recognises and praises God.
Not an Israelite but a Roman. Not a Jew but a Gentile.
Once again, it is not the righteous or religious who see God’s son first, but a centurion like wise men from the east or lowly shepherds in a field.
Even in death, there is life.
Now the choice is ours – do we beat our breasts and walk away confused by the darkness, by the events before us, or do we like those who knew him and the women wait for God?
Even when God appears defeated he is victorious.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19
Despite our grief and sorrow, we know that God has it all in hand. He trusts Jesus, and Jesus knows God will glorify him and keep his word. There is a purpose and a plan. This death is not ordinary. And because God is in it there is hope, faith and love.
To look forward we need to look back…
Isaiah 52:13-53:13
I have included some verses but if you can look it up (just google it if you don’t have a Bible to hand).
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him –
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being
and his form marred beyond human likeness –
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed…
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus cried at the last – It is finished.
And if it is finished then something new is about to begin.
Stop by Easter Sunday and find out more – either on the blog or in a church near you. I can almost guarantee it will get a mention this Sunday!
God bless you, and thank you for joining me this Holy Week.
Love Sarah
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