Death
“Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last.”
Luke 23:46
In this moment, to all who stood watching, it was over.
In this moment a mother lost her son. The baby boy she held close in her arms, whom she watched roll over, crawl, babble, and speak His first word. The little baby she watched grow into a little boy who learned to play, to love, to share, make friends, read, and understand the world. That same little boy she would see grow into a teenager and young man who would learn a skill and mature into adulthood. That same Son she saw perform miracle after miracle after miracle, was gone.
In this moment, brothers lost a sibling.
In this moment, the disciples lost their leader.
In this moment, the crowd who hailed Him as King had their request granted in His death.
In this moment, a criminal, who deserved this death, moved from death to life.
In this moment, an unbelieving Centurion looked upon the lifeless body of this man on the cross and came to the ultimate revelation, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54)!
It was finished … Or so they thought.
Grief
Looking back on this day and time, for those who were involved, it’s hard to see why we would consider this “Good Friday”. While we get hindsight in this, those who lived through it were confused, lost, heartbroken, and overwhelmed with grief. It didn’t make sense. Jesus was the Messiah! He was the promised One. He was the fulfillment of prophecy. He didn’t just seem like the right guy to make it all happen, He was literally perfect. On top of that, if He was the Son of God, the Messiah who they had seen heal the blind, deaf, mute, crippled, and sick, raise the dead to life, and forgive sins, how could God let this happen?
Although we don’t have the thoughts and questions recorded that ran through the minds of the disciples, I’m sure these were things they were thinking. They were people no different from you and me. People who were experiencing the hurt and pain that sin brought into our world. They were feeling the sting of death, and the weight of grief. They mourned. They felt sadness. They were distraught, angry, lost in disbelief, overwhelmed, and probably felt defeated. Quickly forgetting the rest of what Jesus had told them when He predicted His death three times—He would rise three days later!
Sunday is Coming
In the midst of the grief everyone was experiencing, there were still things that needed to be done. Matthew records in his Gospel, that a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, collected Jesus’ body. He wrapped the body in clean linen, as was customary, and had Him laid in a tomb that had been cut in rock. He then had a great stone rolled into place covering the entrance of the tomb, and when it was done, he went away. All while Mary Magdalene and Mary, the wife of Clopas watched (Matthew 27:57-61). Shortly after this time, the Pharisees went to Pilate and asked for the tomb to be guarded because they remembered hearing that Jesus said He would rise on the third day. This is an interesting point as well. While it’s not stated directly, I believe the Pharisees feared losing their power and authority so much, because they knew Jesus was who He claimed to be. Deep down they knew the truth, and like so many of us today, their pride kept them from experiencing God’s ultimate grace.
He Is Risen!
While it may have felt like all hope was lost, things were about to take a turn. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the wife of Clopas went out on the third day with spices to anoint the body and when they arrived, they found the stone rolled away. As they approached the tomb an angel came before them and said, “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:6). After seeing for themselves, they ran to tell the disciples who would come to look for themselves. When they saw that Jesus was gone, they finally understood. Over the course of three days, to what probably felt like an eternity to many, the darkest moment in history became the turning point for all mankind. Jesus had conquered death and broken the bondage of sin for those who would believe in Him.
Change
You’re probably thinking you knew all this. You’ve heard it a million times. And if you grew up in church, you’re probably right. You have heard this story over and over. Easter comes around each year and you celebrate the truth that Jesus is risen. That’s great, but what has this truth done in your life? Really stop and think about that. With this in mind, I’d like to leave you with questions to answer.
- Has my faith in Jesus truly changed the way I live?
- Am I loving the way He taught me to love?
- Am I serving the way He showed me to serve?
- Am I setting aside my own desires for His?
- Am I sharing the Gospel with the people God puts in my life?
- Do I value my time, desires, and needs over my relationship with Christ?
When I worship and sing, am I singing the songs because I’m supposed to, or because I recognize that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice? That He humbled Himself. Gave up His equality as God. Came to Earth. Lived a perfect life, following all of the laws. Gave us all an example to live by. Was wrongfully imprisoned. Mocked. Ridiculed. Spit on. Punched. Kicked. Whipped. Flogged. Beaten within an inch of His life. Had thorns pressed into His head. Carried a heavy wooden cross up a hill of people mocking Him more. Was laid out and nailed, hands spread wide to that old wooden cross. Suffered the ultimate pain, of His Father, turning His back on Him as He hung them dying. Holding the weight of all the sin of all mankind. And in His agony cried out for us all to be forgiven. Breathed His final breath. Tasted death. Then, rose from the dead three days later.
All so that we can be back in a relationship with our Heavenly Father.
So I ask again, do you sing with joy in your heart, lifting up praises to the Risen King, or are you singing and showing up to go through the motions?
The reason I want you to answer these questions truly is because faith in Jesus should change our lives! We shouldn’t be able to live the same way we did before because we recognize just how much He gave up for us. The little bit we give up pales in comparison. With all of this in mind, let me leave you with this. Not my words, but the Apostle Paul’s words found in Romans 12:1-2:
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
