Watching Him

1 Peter 2.21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Lee Strobel, in The Case for Christ, explored the medical evidence related to the death of Jesus (chapter 11). As a nurse who has cared for many people during their last hours of life, I find this chapter alone worth the price of the book.

Strobel interviewed Alexander Metherell, M. D., Ph.D, a forensic pathologist, as he investigated the event that is at the center of our faith. The doctor described the effects on the mind and body of Jesus during the hours before His death. Instead of quoting from Metherell's vivid description, I point to Strobel's observation in regard to the horror of the crucifixion:

"Literally, excruciating means 'out of the cross.' Think of that: they needed to create a new word, because there was nothing in the language that could describe the intense anguish caused during the crucifixion." (p. 198).

This brings us to a disturbing question: Was it necessary? Was all of that mental and physical anguish--suffering beyond our comprehension--necessary?

If you believe what the Bible says about the relationship between the Father and the beloved Son, you must conclude that Christ would not have been subjected to such suffering if it were unnecessary. So we come to a second question: Why was it necessary?

He could have shed His blood and died in a much less painful fashion. Why was the suffering so extreme? While we do not know the entire mind of God in regard to this, I think we see two important aspects of our faith here. First, we see the magnitude of sin. Your sins and mine could not have been erased by a relatively easy execution. The cross tells us that sin is a weighty matter. Bearing all of the sins of the world in His body on that tree tells us that sin is serious and that the price for redemption was supreme. Second, we see the degree of Christ's identification with human suffering. When we read about His suffering and temptations and then look at our own, we may say, "I really do not know what suffering is." Look at the Apostle's description of his suffering:

2 Corinthians 11.24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

He did NOT say, "I have suffered as much as Christ!" He knew that Christ could understand his suffering--and all suffering--and he found comfort in Christ (2 Corinthians 1.5).

Think about it. Regardless of what we endure, the cross gives us God's perspective. He has suffered more. He understands. He cares. He loves. He can watch us suffer and suffer with us and we can know that our hope is in our Suffering Savior. We can identify more with Him and the cross as we endure sufferings...and we can know they will pass. As Jesus did, we can look forward to the day beyond the suffering--the Sunday that followed that awful Friday.

Here is one of the most shocking statements in the Bible in regard to the crucifixion:

Matthew 27.36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.

How could they watch? Perhaps they watched because it was their duty--as executioners and soldiers--to supervise the execution. Perhaps they were so hardened by the sight of many crosses that they did not think this one would mean much to them. Do you think they ever forgot what they saw that day?

We may not want to watch...but we must. If we are to be saved and live with hope, we must look to the Crucified One and let Him draw us to Himself. We will see the suffering...and feel some of the suffering and we will see the great transaction--our souls being purchased for God!

Hebrews 2.9... we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Do not turn away from Him and His suffering. Read about it...and praise God for the "old rugged cross."

Prayer

Dear Father, the cross appalls us. We are unable to comprehend how much You love us. We want to always respond in love to the wonderful love and sacrifice of Jesus. Help us to know Him and His sufferings and be transformed to be more like Him today. Forgive us for our lack of appreciation for Christ. He is our life. Help us to keep Him in our hearts always. Help those who are hurting. We ask this in the name of the Crucified One. Amen

By Brad Forgy, Used by Permission