The crucifixion is a source of glorification of the Lord Jesus

Friday, April 7, 2023

Theme: “The crucifixion is a source of glorification of the Lord Jesus“ Text: Mark 15:21-41

21. They forced to carry the cross of Jesus a passer-by returning from the fields, Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus; 22. And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means place of the skull. 23. They gave him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he did not take it. 24. They crucified him, and divided his clothes among themselves, casting lots to see what each would have. 25. It was the third hour when they crucified him. 26. The inscription indicating the subject of his condemnation bore these words: The King of the Jews. 27. They crucified with him two robbers, one on his right and the other on his left. 28. Thus was fulfilled what the scripture says: He was numbered among the malefactors. 29. The passers-by cursed at him, and shook their heads, saying: Hey! you who destroy the temple, and who rebuild it in three days, 30. save yourself, coming down from the cross! 31. The chief priests also, with the scribes, mocked among themselves, and said, He saved others, and he cannot save himself! 32. Let Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe! Those who were crucified with him also insulted him. 33. When the sixth hour came, there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 34. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which means: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 35. Some of those who were there, having heard him, said, Behold, he calls Elijah. 36. And one of them ran to fill a sponge with vinegar, and having fastened it to a reed, he gave it to drink, saying, Leave, let us see if Elijah will come to bring him down. 37. But Jesus, having uttered a loud cry, expired. 38. The veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39. The centurion, who was in front of Jesus, seeing that he had thus expired, said: Surely this man was the Son of God. 40. There were also women watching from afar. Among them were Mary of Magdala, Mary mother of James the Minor and of Joses, and Salome, 41, who followed him and served him when he was in Galilee, and several others who had gone up with him to Jerusalem.

Let's remember:

A wise man of the past century taught us that "Nothing great comes easy". Also in Mark 9:23. "Jesus said unto him, If thou be able!...All things are possible to him that believeth." Despite the physical and mental relentlessness, blows and wounds inflicted on his divine person, Jesus Christ the King of Glory did not ask the celestial army to come into play to fight his executioners. This would have been done if Jesus had requested the army of God but he would have failed in his mission to die on the cross to undergo glorification and save fallen humanity. This long sequence of humiliation punctuated by a crucifixion should appeal to every heart in love with faith and love in that it summarizes the history of our salvation. To suffer ignominy for something you didn't do is simply pathetic. The Son of God was condemned so that the Son of man was acquitted. Passers-by, chief priests and scribes participated in Jesus' plan of glorification but were unaware of it. They didn't know they were playing a fool's game. The world will remember that there was darkness in the middle of the day because Jesus Christ the sun of justice extinguished his life to rekindle it three days later. The cross is a powerful source of glorification of Jesus. Excellent Friday and good start into the weekend. Amen Alain Louz.-