[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The bedtime story I read to my children last night was the account of Jesus’ crucifixion. And to be honest, the brilliant “Jesus Storybook Bible”[1] we read to our children has become a source for many of my daily meditations on aspects of the Gospel. Last night’s story was no different.
The big question was: Why didn’t Jesus stop his accusers and executioners? Why didn’t he just climb down from the cross? Even those witnessing the event taunted Jesus by shouting “Save yourself!” and “Come down!”[2] Eventually, one of the criminals hanging next to Jesus joined in, and added “…Save yourself and us!“[3] hoping Jesus would throw him a bone in the process.
Let’s face it, we’re talking about the Jesus who calmed storms[4], walked on water[5], raised the dead[6], fed 4000+ with the equivalent of a McDonalds kiddies meal[7], and performed many other miracles. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus ordered his disciples to put away their puny swords because tens of thousands of angels could be summoned to His rescue in less time than it took Him to heal the poor soldier whose ear Peter had just cut off in Jesus’ defense[8]. With all that power at hand, what’s the deal with the crucifixion?
I’m currently reading Eric Metaxas’ biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer[9], and find it interesting that the leaders of the Nazis’ so called ‘German Christians’ saw the cross as a sign of weakness and planned to remove it from all cathedrals and chapels; superseding it with the swastika. In one sense, they were right – from the incarnation to the cross, we see God choosing to become weak – but that’s just it! He chose… The result was weakness, but the cause was power. Let’s not attribute undue strength to mere creation by giving ‘nails’ the credit for keeping Jesus on the cross. Who but God Himself can limit His own omnipotence? Jesus’ willpower kept him on the cross. Yet we’ve got to ask, why? What was His motivation?
The answer is really very simple. Love.
You see, what the criminal didn’t realize when he shouted “…Save yourself and us!” was that Jesus couldn’t do both simultaneously. Climbing off that cross would have meant ‘crossing out’ salvation for us. And so Jesus willingly died, so that we may eternally live. Why? Because He loves us.[10]
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…” John 3:16 ESV
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us…” 1 John 3:16 ESV
[1] Sally Lloyd-Jones / Jago; ISBN 978-1-4321-0370-5
[2] Matthew 27:30, Mark 15:30
[3] Luke 23:30
[4] Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:36-41; Luke 8:22-25
[5] John 6:16-21
[6] John 11:38-44
[7] Matthew 14:13; Matthew 15:32; Mark 6:30; Mark 8:1; Luke 9:10; John 6:1
[8] Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50; John 18:10
[9] Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy; ISBN 978-1-59555-138-2
[10] Since Jesus’ death was in obedience to the Father, His love for the Father must also be included[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
