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by Sandy Shaw
We are reading of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in John Chapter 19. Matthew, Mark, and Luke give us other aspects of the crucifixion, where even the criminals say their piece and Jesus replies.
All over Jerusalem, sacrificial lambs were being ceremonially slain and slaughtered in memory of the Passover, and outside the city wall the Son of God was doing a work that would last for eternity.
Jesus chose and called and trained men, but it was the women who saw it through to the very end, at the foot of the Cross. They are last to leave, and they are first at the tomb.
There is a poignant moment when Jesus saw His mother, Mary, and John, the writer of this Gospel, standing nearby. With very simple words, John is given the responsibility of looking after Mary. We assume Joseph is now dead.
This is written so differently from modern journalism. It is such a straightforward account. It is simple - so matter of fact – and not a word of feeling with regard to Jesus – with no description of high emotions - no plumbing the depths of pain – as something much deeper than mere words was going on here.
Our faith must be based upon the facts - in what was done - and what was said - and not on how people felt - although feelings and emotions are invariably expressed - but that is not what is important.
Jesus is offered a drink to help reduce the agonising pain, and after that, “It is finished”. It is completely complete. What Jesus Christ came to do He has done.
Jesus died. There was no need to break bones to speed up death. Jesus was dead. Further prophecies were fulfilled.
Joseph of Arimathea, described as a secret believer, who was filled with fear, comes out almost too late, when Jesus is no longer around physically. He took the body, and cared for it, doing what he could, laying the body in a tomb which had been prepared for himself. Nicodemus was there to help. That conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus proved to be fruitful.
We never know what may result from a conversation we have with someone who comes to us with a question or a need.
Joseph loaned his tomb to Jesus for three days. Did he believe that Jesus would rise from the dead? Did he believe that Jesus would only need the tomb for three days?
The cross does not appeal to the intellect, or to oratory, or to education, or man's wisdom. Yet, it is the cross of Jesus Christ which makes the Church of Jesus Christ unique.
Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven, and wounded that we might be healed.
Jesus endured our poverty that we might share his wealth. Jesus was rejected that we might be accepted. Jesus was forsaken that we might be received.
We today read all this knowing that Jesus Christ is risen and living, ascended and glorified!
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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