Take a moment and meditate on the cross of Jesus Christ

This week is the week before “Holy Week.” In chapter 15 of Mark, take a moment and meditate on the cross of Jesus Christ.

First, we see Pilate so amazed that they would want Jesus crucified as that was the most painful way to die. Be amazed of the God man being willing to endure this death.

14”Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.”

Next, the Savior was mocked in the most humiliating fashion. Also, notice that he was hit in the head with a powerful staff. Weep for the pain he suffered before the cross.

“19And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.”

After being beaten and flogged (whipped in a way that ripped his back apart) he could not carry the cross beam (weighed around 200 lb). The weakness of Jesus gives us strength.

“21And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.”

The place of skull he had metal nails driven in his ankles and hands while being continually mocked. No pain you are going through is beyond Jesus ability to understand and strengthen you.

“22And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.”

It was about 9 a.m. that Jesus was raised on the cross. Most people do not realize that the way someone died was by suffocation as the person had to pull themselves up to breath. Each time that would rip more muscles and limbs nailed to the cross. For six hours Jesus hung on the cross. Thinking of this amazing perseverance of love motivates us to preserve in our pain.

25And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 33And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 37And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.”

There is so much more to the story, but the reason he did it is found in verse 38. In the Temple there was a huge curtain that kept people back from the presence of God. When Jesus died it was torn clearly telling everyone that access to God is open to all. Then after three days Jesus rose from the dead.

“38And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”

The key point of all of this is be thankful for the cross of Christ, make sure you have trusted Jesus as your Savior and live for Him. Paul summarizes our call to live for him: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Be sure and celebrate the Resurrection and the Cross this year in a church near you. If you do not have a church, please come to First Baptist (1101 N. Main) starting this Sunday for service at 10:30 a.m.

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