On March 25, 2016, Shanghai Community Church shares the message of "silence on the cross" in a service for Good Friday.The preacher tells the congregation that Jesus predicted his death before entering into Jerusalem. What does it mean that Jesus was handed over to sinners?
It means that the Lord Jesus had to bear everything put on him unconditionally, including flogging and taunts, which fulfills the verses in Book Isaiah. Jesus headed over to sinners implies his waiting, waiting for God's prophecy to be fulfilled on him, which is death on the cross as a sin offering.
When Jesus was arrested, he refused to use power and commanded Peter to put back the sword although he was able to save himself by calling the Father to send more than the twelve legions of angels. "Twelve legions of angels" refers to power. Chrisitians often prefer dealing with problems by power and violence in a shortcut way, such as by killing the sinful one on the cross. This doesn't bring spiritual life nor glorify God in front of the world.The Lord Jesus walked on a tough road with love and endurance to carry others' sins, who could have chosen the shortcut way.
In the book The Jesus I Never Knew written by Philip Yancey, the author quotes these word of M. Scott Peck: " 'There are dozens of ways to deal with evil and several ways to conquer it. All of them are facets of the truth that the only ultimate way to conquer evil is to let it be smothered within a willing, living human being. When it is absorbed there like blood in a sponge or a spear into one's heart, it loses its power and goes no further.' The healing of evil-scientifically or otherwise-can be accomplished only by the love of individuals. A willing sacrifice is required . . ."
Being arrested, Jesus, the son of God, gave away all his authority to call for angels, and he faced his cup. He went through so real hardships and death that he became an advocate between the sinners and the Father. How wide, long, high and deep his love is!
He even answered nothing, obeyed God's will without defense when being persecuted by the chief priests and elders.We should only seek the recognition from God, not man and make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from man. Do everything to honor God.As Matthew 27:34 says, "There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it."The Lord Jesus refused to be anaesthetized before the crucifixion.
He chose to face and bear hardships, sober-minded and frankly.At the foot of the cross, the cheif priests and the teachers of the law mocked him, saying, "let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him."Enduring pain and facing taunts, the Lord was still silent while he did have the capacity to come down.
When tragedies happen, we may ask where God was. Then look at Jesus, we'll know: God was on the cross! He showed amazing love on the cross!
God delivered his only son to sinners, leaving him suffering insults and killed, in order to open a way free from sin and death. How many people can understand such great love?
