Read Isaiah 50:3-6 and Matthew 27:27-31
“I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.” (Isaiah 50:6)
“After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.” (Matthew 27:31)
Good Friday is a day that often does not seem good. When we think about the Messiah sent from God suffering and dying upon a Cross, we cannot help but slow down and reflect on the sober seriousness of this day.
Though not the easiest to stomach, the physical aspects of Jesus’ suffering through crucifixion are perhaps the easiest to grasp. We can visualize the impact of nails on His flesh, the weight of His body sagging down upon the wood, the dryness of His lips in the sun, and the slow agonizing suffocation of His death.
There is another aspect of His suffering worth considering, however, that both of our readings today highlight. Jesus, fully God and fully man, took upon Himself the utter indignity of mockery. Think about that for a moment. The God of the universe, who created all things with His powerful word, is now enfleshed as a man and suffering. He is not only crucified physically but crucified verbally by the worst words of humanity’s making. What a terrible reversal of roles and the power of words!
Jesus takes upon Himself what we – lost in sin, shame, and evil – deserve, so that there might be a wonderful reversal through the power of His life-giving words for our salvation. Praise God for this gracious gift!
DIG DEEPER:
- Why do you think it is significant that Jesus suffered indignity and shame on our behalf?
- Slow down today and take some time to be still and reflect on the sufferings of Christ.
written by Matt Erickson
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