Friday
Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42 and Isaiah 52
Please read the passages above.
Isaiah 52:14 – As many were astonished at you – his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, ands form beyond that of the children of mankind
The prophet Isaiah spoke this to the people. We know that he was beaten, but do we comprehend how badly he was beaten and tortured? I have a hard time imagining him so beaten. Marred means disfigure applies to external injury of a more permanent and serious kind: A birthmark disfigured one side of his face. Deform suggests that something has been distorted or internally injured so severely change its normal form or qualities, or else that some fault has interfered with its proper development:deformed by an accident that had crippled him; to deform feet by binding them.
One does not do any good to down play this horrible, disgusting display of violence. Whether we can handle it or not, It is what our savior went through for us. Would you be willing to go through such torture?
Imagine what each person felt that day? So let’s start with:
The crowd: Some of the people were angry and hateful. They were still mocking Jesus. They were still mistreating him, even with him on the Cross.
Simon of Cyrene: He carried the cross of Jesus! The cross that already had his blood on it. What power did this man feel as he carried this cross? If a woman can touch the hem of his clothes and receive healing, What Did Simon Feel with His blood?
His disciples. How much agony were they in? Did they finally understand what was going on? Did they have any last regrets?
The two criminals: How harden was ones heart? How opened was the other man’s heart to receive Jesus? Were they flogged as bad as Jesus or was this just for our Messiah?
Mary Mother of James and Jesus: Oh a mother’s heart breaking! The agony she went through watching her son go through what he did? Was she angry? Did you turn hateful? Who did she turn her angry towards? Did she realize that this was what was going to happen? Or did she think he was going to rescue them like the others?
The other women: Did they really comprehend that Jesus was their Savior, their Messiah. Did they get angry? Were they as committed to their savior as when he walked with them?
What did each person think when Jesus spoke His final words?
Did they regret what they did?
Today can you take a moment and try to place yourself on this day that Jesus was brutally beaten and died? Can you think about deeply within yourself what Jesus did for you?
Don’t let this week, this day go by without meditating on Jesus and what He did so we could be forgiven.
He went through so much for you and for me, to take care of our sin once and for all.
Eloi, Eloi, lema Sabachthani which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? and with a loud cry
HE last words: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Father into your hands I commit my spirit. IT IS FINISHED!!!!
DON’T Let this be a commercial holiday about the easter bunny, dying eggs, Easter egg hunts. Don’t be desensitized by the remembrance of what Christ did for us. Soften your heart to our triune God! Listen to his voice. He loves you!!
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that we take this weekend when it can be filled with other things, that we take the time to meditate on You. Find the time to ponder on your word. To think about all that you have done for us. It think on your grace, mercy, and forgiveness that is all wrapped in your deep love for us.
In Jesus Name
Amen
