Reflections on the Cross

This week is sure to be a full week, with Resurrection Sunday comes family, friends, an elaborate dinner of Lamb, ham, or maybe turkey, not to mention Easter outfits, and egg hunts for the kids. But take time out of your schedule to reflect on the cross.

Just like this week is busy for you, it was even more busy for Jesus. Starting with the triumphant entry with the crowds waving their palm leaves and shouting, “Hosanna, Hosanna.” I’m sure Jesus was caught up in the joy and elation of the crowds knowing that by the end of the week, he would endure the torture and humiliation of the cross by the same people that was celebrating him.

Then his last supper with his disciples, knowing that one of them would betray him. The irony of Jesus having a dishonest person on his team showed his willingness to allow him to change. I could only hope that walking and talking with Jesus would bring change, but Judas missed the message as many of us do. Eventually, time runs out just as it did for Judas.

The week continues to be marred with the stress of the cross. The very people that God was sending his son to save, the Jewish people, rejected him for the religious rules and regulations he was delivering them from. Jesus endured the rejection of his people who falsely lied so he would be taken into Roman custody to be crucified. He struggled in his flesh until he surrendered to the will of the Father.

Abandoned by his friends and fellow disciples, who cowered in fear, as he stood alone before the court being scourged, mocked, spit on, and slapped as punishment for his message—could this week get any worse? Yes, and it did. The crown of thorns dug deep into his flesh along with the streams of blood running down his face the pain of the thorns brought endless throbbing and searing pain. Barely able to see or be recognized the crowds screaming louder for him to be crucified and for a murder to go free.

The climb to Golgotha was have been miserable. The hot sand scorched his bare feet.  Barely able to walk from the torture and beating he endured, someone else carried his cross. The sun beat on his tired, unrecognizable body as he stumbled to the top of the hill. He fell a few times as his body could not bear the toll only to be lashed at again with whip and picked up and shoved. Reaching the top of hill was no relief as he was nailed to the cross as throngs of people watched in glee, horror, and fear. No one ever thought he would survive this cruel unimaginable death.

As the cross was lifted into position, the weight of his body and the pain in his wrists, head, and feet was more than any human could bear. But even in his state of pain, he had compassion for the thief on the cross next to him, as the mocking and jeering comments from the crowd continued.

Abandoned by his Father the heavens stood silent, waiting. He looked down and caught a glimpse of his mom who stood at the foot of the cross with John the apostle weeping and crying for her son. Even in agony, he made provision for his mother to be cared for in his absence.

And with a sigh, a gasp of his last breath-- It was finished. The sky darkened as they pierced his side. His earthly mission was accomplished.

It would seem that this was the end, but it was the beginning. He went to hell and stripped Satan of his power knowing that all who accept him would be able to do the same. He freed the souls in Sheol and made an open spectacle of the devil. Every sickness and disease is no more and every emotional trauma is nailed to the cross. Every curse that enters this world is broken by the power of the cross. And three days later he rose again.

If you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, there is no better day than Resurrection Sunday. Resurrection is every day for Christians, not one day out of the year. It’s not a day of remembrance, it’s a life of remembrance and worship to the one who gave his all.