The Worst Part of the Cross

The Worst Part Of The Cross

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) I close my eyes and I can see my own son hurting or suffering somewhere, and at that moment I feel I’m as close as I can get to understanding the LOVE that it took for our heavenly father to divert His face as His only Son died to save the world. It MAY not be possible to know  the extent of what Jesus’ words here meant, but here’s what we do know: The human part of Jesus wanted to be spared from the agony of the cross. He said as blood and sweat poured from his worried body, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me…” (Matthew 26:39) But the eternal plan that had been set in place required Christ’s blood to be shed. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" (Matthew 26:53-54) Jesus WILLINGLY gave Himself to die for us…and nothing outside of His love for us held him on the cross. But whether it was the weight of the world’s sins resting on Him, or his tormented body crying out for mercy, He felt forsaken as He died for us.

I wonder sometimes what the most painful wound Jesus suffered was. Was it the excruciating physical pain from the scourging, the repeated blows from soldiers, or the nails through His hands? Was it the shame of dying for crimes He didn’t commit? He did “despise the shame” (Hebrews 12:2). Maybe it was the loss He experienced as He left heaven and was born a lowly human. But made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:7-8)

Regardless of what was most difficult for Him, we should know that every wound He suffered was endured to save us…to heal us from certain death. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. (Hebrews 2:9-10) Next time you are staring temptation in the face, remember these three truths: 1) Sin caused Christ’s death, and your sins crucify Him again. 2) Sin will wreck your life both physically and spiritually. 3) Sin will keep you out of Heaven.

----Darrell Powell