Good morning, today is Friday, April 18, 2025, also known as Good Friday because of the remembering of the judgment, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus, King of the Jews, of Nazareth, and, known also as The Christ, the Anointed One, The Messiah. There's plenty of historical information that gives a very accurate picture of how crucifixions were carried out. It was designed to be horrific and it was. Some estimate that more than 150,000 people suffered this form of execution by the Romans when they ruled the world. Around the time of the birth of Jesus, there were some 2,000 Jews crucified at the order of the Roman authorities. The gore is unmistakable. It was that way for everyone who suffered this fate. Therefore, the text of Scripture does not describe in detail each specific area of the physical ordeal involved because they were and are today readily available. It does, however, point us to the Person of Jesus Christ because it is a stupefying and jarring truth to consider God the very God in human flesh being put to death to gain redemption for God's created human family. I've always been struck in how Matthew, Mark, and Luke emphasize Jesus as the Son of God, while John wanted everyone to know Jesus as God the Son. He begins his record with these words, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John Chapter 1, verses 1-3) There's no casual way we can take this truth in. It was this same 'the Word' who was on that cross and it was God's provision of salvation to all who believe.
Think about this: Revelation 13:8 states that Jesus was the "Lamb slain from the Foundation of the Earth"— not 'from the Fall of Man'. In eternity past, He knew exactly what Adam and Eve would do before they did it and He had already moved to correct the damage. The phrase "slain before the foundations of the world" refers to Jesus Christ being preordained to die as the Lamb of God, a sacrifice for the sins of humanity, before the creation of the universe. It highlights God's eternal plan for salvation and the preexistence of Christ. This is why we who believe are in utter awe of God's plan and provision. I can't wrap my mind around it. I can't comprehend it. But, praise God, I can apprehend and embrace it by faith. This is what I consider during this week of remembering He who knew no sin being made sin for me. (2nd Corinthians 5:21) He did it. For me and for you. The Amplified Bible adds its illustrative word pictures in expounding on the text from Hebrews Chapter 12, verse 2: [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
No wonder they call it Amazing Grace! Amen? I do love Bible study aids, but, don't get so immersed in the commentaries, the timelines, and, even the vivid descriptions of the horror of it all, so much so that we might fail to remember the Who and the Why of that Man on the middle cross. I'm stunned when I even try to make sense of it all, but, I can only do my best to follow the lead of the so called wise in what they did when they came into the presence of Jesus. Matthew tells us this: "And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." They got it right. And, so should we! The great news? Resurrection Day came on the first day of the week, (our Sunday), and, you and I can join others on the first day, this Sunday, in thanking God for sending His son to die, to be buried, and to rise again in victory over death, hell, and the grave! (1st Corinthians Chapter 15) Yay! and Amen!
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