Why . . .
Let me introduce you to Grandson #8, Hudson Daniel. This precious little 2 year-old has a way of drawing out the one-syllable word "why" for several seconds. As I listened to this sermon from Robert Morris, the senior pastor at Gateway Church in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, going into great detail about the crucifixion of Christ, I had to stop and ask Hudson's question: WHY?
His message is based on an article from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) "On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ". Edwards WDGabel WJHosmer FE. On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ. JAMA. 1986;255(11):1455–1463. doi:10.1001/jama.1986.03370110077025
According to this study, Jesus endured a scourging that should have killed Him - a cruel form of death incited by the Roman soldiers. And yet, He endured.
Before Jesus was ever placed on the cross, this passage from Isaiah was fulfilled:
Just as there were many who were appalled at Him—His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human beingand His form marred beyond human likeness— Isaiah 52:14
Why . . .
Barely alive, after enduring what should have killed Him, Jesus was led to the cross.
Our church does a reenactment of Good Friday and "Jesus" has a platform to stand on while "hanging" on the cross.
Not our Savior ~ He literally hung on three nails. Now mind you, the only way He could exhale was by pushing Himself up which meant His back, that was literally ripped to shreds, rubbed up and down on that wooden cross for six excruciating hours.
Why . . .
Friends, as I listened to this very graphic sermon on the sufferings of my Savior, I couldn't help but to ask why.
- Why did Jesus have to be both horrifically scourged and then crucified on the cross?
- Why, even after He was unrecognizable due to 40+ lashes with bone fragments, glass, metal that should have killed Him, was He led to a wooden beam where His only support was three nails driven into His hands and feet?
- Why did He have to rub His ripped open back on the splintered post as He exhaled every breath for six hours?
- Why did an animal have to only be slaughtered to take away sin and yet Jesus suffered such an agonizing death that we as humans ourselves cannot ever fully fathom?
- Why did the One Who was perfect, Who was innocent have to die such a brutal, incomprehensible death so that I could live with Him forever?
I cannot answer why Jesus' death had to be so barbaric, but I can answer why He died ~
He loves you and me
Do we truly understand what Jesus' death means for us? NO OTHER person before or since has endured what Jesus suffered. WHY ~ to bridge the gap sin creates between us and our Holy God.
Jesus so desperately wants to be a part of our lives that He suffered an unimaginable death so that we could always be with Him and our Father. He took the punishment of the entire world ~ for all time ~ upon Himself so that we could be in the presence of God Almighty. His innocence paid in full our every guilty thought or deed so that God only sees us and not our sins ~ amazing grace, how sweet the sound!
'Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. '
Ephesians 1:4 NLT
GOD LOVES ME ~ GOD CHOSE ME
Hudson, as you and your cousins grow older, may the whys in life turn your hearts to the God Who loves you and chose you ~
Father God…..I pray I will be strong against the enemy when he tells me I am not worthy, because You tell me and proved to me that I am.
Because of Him, you are so worthy!!
Amen!