A Public Affair

Friday, April 15

A Public Affair   

And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Mark 15:37

In Jesus’ day, crucifixions were public affairs. Much like red carpet events, crucifixions were a cultural moment. Taking place outside for all to see.  The Son of God was crucified on a day that today we call ‘good.’ Surely the last moments of Jesus’ life were not good. In fact, it was downright bloody and painful. Jesus was arrested, beaten beyond recognition. Then He staggers around, physically strength less under the weight of His own cross, scourged, mocked, and crucified. Moments later Jesus, nails driven through His hands and feet, is raised up on the cross. One of the meanest torture mankind has ever devised. The suffering of Jesus is not something we can overlook.

Shortly after, having drained the cup Jesus prayed would pass Him by, and having experienced the full curse of sin, Jesus willfully gives up his life in three words that inextricably weave our past, present and future together and still echo into eternity to this day: “It is finished” (John 19:30).

While we might never fully understand the practice of crucifixion, what is good about the crucifixion of Jesus is that it led to the resurrection. We cannot go around the crucifixion, we must go through it……

As Jesus commits His spirit into the hands of his Father and dies, the temple curtain is torn from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). What once separated us from God’s holy presence is forever gone, overcome by grace. For on this, the darkest day in history, our Savior has made a way back to the Father for all humanity as He restored on the cross the mess sin unraveled in the garden.

Salvation has come. Salvation is here! As we wait on all that Sunday will bring (promises fulfilled, celebration untold and hope rebirthed) we can today also accept the incredible invitation offered to us to “draw near” (Hebrews 10:19-22) and have fellowship with our God.