Title Matthew 27:27-46
Contents
*** Lessons from Jesus’ suffering (verses 27-44)
Jesus' suffering is summed up in physical pain and mental insult. Jesus suffered and insulted by the Roman soldiers who could not recognize Himself as the King of Judea, and was continually insulted by the Jewish leaders who could not recognize Him as the Son of God. He was even reviled by the robbers who were crucified with him. Such suffering and insults are truly unbearable as human beings. Moreover, as the Son of God, the Lord who has the authority to rule this world must have been even more unbearable. But just like that, he endured for the salvation of all people, including those who insulted him. So that's what I am today. Considering this fact, I thank the Lord for His grace once again. I, too, are determined to suffer physical pain and mental insult to follow Jesus' example. What are the physical and mental pains I am experiencing because of the Lord now?
*** Lessons from the recognition of Roman soldiers (vv.
We see a small amount of recognition in the fact that the Roman soldiers let Simon of Cyrene carry the cross of Jesus and make Jesus drink wine mixed with gall. They didn't even know who Jesus was, so they treated them as just one of the prisoners, but there seems to be an instinctive acknowledgment. But even though I sometimes say that I believe in the Lord, it seems that there have been many times when I was not as good as them when it came to showing compassion to people. I also need the acknowledgment that I can feel the pain of people's suffering. How much do I feel the pain of the people around me?
*** A personal understanding of Jesus' death (vv. 45-46)
What made Jesus more painful than the insults of people was that God had abandoned him. The moment the sunlight suddenly disappeared, Jesus realized that God had forsaken him and cried out in pain. This pain was incomprehensible to those around me. But the Lord suffered this very pain for me and eventually died in suffering. Jesus' death was not an act of ceremonies to pay off debt. In fact, he suffered the punishment of sin that he deserved in body and mind, and he endured it deeply in his soul. Now, we must understand what happened on the cross not only conceptually, but deeply in our body, mind, and soul. At this moment, am I realizing that Jesus suffered and died for me?
Do you feel guilty because of me when you watch the scene of Jesus' death?