Title: Jesus suffered on the cross
The process of the public life of Jesus Christ (6)
(Jesus suffered on the cross)
Text/ Mark 15:1-47, Hebrews 5:7-19
1. Introduction
We believers confess that Jesus is true man (vere homo) and true God (vere deus). This confession is not based on rational logic. This confession is a confession of faith in the truth that God has revealed through the Word of the Bible.
Because Jesus is a true man, as we meditated on last week, He suffered the sufferings of mankind. And because Jesus is the true God, He suffered universal, spiritual, and holy sufferings that humans do not have. It is the suffering of the cross. The suffering of the cross is a historical, cosmic, and spiritual event that perfected the purpose of Jesus' public life (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 10:10).
2. The Mystery of the Crucifixion
Mystery is something mysterious or something that cannot be known by ordinary theories or explanations, or spiritual communication or such an experience through direct communication with the ultimate reality, God, or a divine being. To put it simply, a mystery is something I thought I knew all of a sudden, but it became dark as the scene changed, something that seemed dark but suddenly realized.
The suffering of Jesus on the cross is a mystery among mysteries. We do not know that we have believed in Jesus for a long time, nor do we know that we have just believed in Jesus. The crucifixion is truly the scene of the paradox that the first becomes last and the last comes first. A typical example would be the disciples of Jesus and the thief hanging on the right side of the cross of Jesus on Golgotha Hill. The disciples who had followed Jesus for three years did not realize the meaning of suffering on the cross and all ran away. The thief on the right met Jesus for the first time that day, but he clearly understood the meaning of Jesus' suffering on the cross.
3. The relationship between the crucifixion and the resurrection
The crucifixion is the crucifixion, and the resurrection is the resurrection. The cross is an event centered on the Son, Jesus, and the resurrection is an event centered on the almighty God the Father who raises from the dead.
Jesus said that on the third day I will rise again (Mark 9:9, 9:31, 10:34). He also said that he lay down his life in order to take it again (John 10:17-18). These words are also a mystery. These words do not diminish or dilute the meaning of the suffering of the cross, but rather make the mystery of the suffering of the cross more profound.
3. The meaning of Jesus' suffering on the cross
The meaning of Jesus' suffering on the cross cannot be solved by human logic. The crucifixion is the providence of a merciful God, and it is a holy truth that is clearly understood from the moment we believe without doubting that it is a spiritual mystery. That is the meaning of the saying that the righteous will live by their faith. So, what is the meaning of Jesus' crucifixion?
first. Jesus' suffering on the cross was a historical, cosmic, and spiritual warfare against injustice, evil institutions, Satan, corrupt thoughts, the rulers of the air, and the power of death. Historical is because it is a historical event that actually occurred in Israel 2000 years ago,
It is called cosmic because this event affects not only the earth but also the entire universe.
This is because spiritual is not material, but mental, mental, internal, and spiritual events.
second. Jesus' suffering on the cross was a hurdle that Jesus had to overcome in order to gain complete victory in this great battlefield. If Jesus had avoided suffering on the cross, Jesus would have been nothing. Here, we have the truth that <Nothing is free>, that is, nothing can be accomplished without suffering (No Cross, No Crown), and he who sows weeping will reap the sheaf with joy (Psalm 126:5-6). .
Therefore, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through suffering. And, after being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, Hebrews 5:8-9.
third. Jesus also offered up supplications and wishes with intense weeping and tears in front of the sufferings of the cross (Hebrews 5:7). “Abba, Father, are not all things possible with you? Remove this cup from me” (Mark 14:36).
The sufferings of the cross were so dreadful. At the end of the day, Jesus prayed: <But not my will, but your will, Yet not what I will, but what You will Mark 14:36>. Jesus became the true God by suffering on the cross. You became Christ. You have become my savior.
5. Closing Story
Jesus suffered like this. And if you would come after me, deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me (Mark 8:34). How do we live today?. What are you chasing?. Oh, it's a shame. Now I must take up my cross and return to Jesus.
Weekly <Fountain of the Word>