Easter Bible Bits

Previously, I've mentioned here the Facebook page Tiny Bible Bits (which I write) and have given you a look at some of the posts from earlier this year.

Leading up to Easter I've been writing reflections on the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross. So, being Easter, I figured I've post them here also for you to ponder as well...

Matthew 27:46 – About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

There are only seven Tiny Bible Bits until Easter and seven statements which Jesus made upon the cross. Leading up to Good Friday, we’ll be looking at the words from the crucifixion in order of how they appear in the New Testament.

This first statement points us towards the depths of Easter.
This first statement is anguish filled.
This first statement undeniably revealed the separation Jesus experienced from the Father.

This statement is also the first line of Psalm 22.

We need to be mindful that the Psalms were the songbook of the Jews, memorised and loved by all. Those listening would have been familiar with the words of Psalm 22.

As an exercise, see if you can sing the next line of the following songs -
Australians all let us rejoice…
My Jesus, my Saviour, Lord there is none like you…
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…

When those at the cross heard the cry of Jesus, their minds would have been filled with the lyrics of Psalm 22.

Take a few minutes to read Psalm 22. Consider the way the Psalm flows and, despite the dire circumstances of the Psalmist, the way it trusts in God.

Luke 23:34 – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

I’m not expecting to be the victim of the worst kind of death humanity has devised, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t utter the words Jesus did.

Jesus did not pray for vengeful justice. Jesus offers forgiveness.
“Father forgive them…”

Who is them?
The Romans? The Jews? The bystanders? The actual executioners?
All of the above?

To those who didn’t deserve it, Jesus offers them pardon. Jesus does the same for all of us.

Upon the cross Jesus not only laid before us an example of how we are to treat our enemies, but also teaches that no one’s actions make them beyond the reach of prayer.

Are there people in your life you feel are undeserving of prayer? Follow the example of Christ and lift them before your Heavenly Father now…

Luke 23:43 – Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

There is no better example of grace in the bible then the interaction between Jesus and the repentant criminal beside him.

This crim deserved to die. He was judged according to the law and rightly found guilty.

He had nothing to offer Jesus. He couldn’t offer his time. He couldn’t offer his actions. He couldn’t spread the gospel for years to come nor could he build a church in his honour.

All this man had in his future were a few excruciating hours prior to dying.

But Jesus accepted him nonetheless.
Despite this man’s previous failings, Jesus forgave him.

This exchange shows that it is never too late to trust in Jesus.
The quick conversation between Jesus and the criminal can remind us that no one is beyond the love of Christ, no matter what they have done in the past.

If there are people in your life who you feel are really far from God, especially family or friends, take confidence in the exchange between Jesus and the man hanging at His side.

In fact, pray for that person now. If this criminal can hear these words of grace, so can the person you just prayed for.

Luke 23:46 – Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

If you could go back in time and successfully rescue Jesus from the crucifixion, would you?

Supposedly, according to one atheist blog, this question would stump any Christian.
How would you respond? Would you save Jesus?

If I’m completely honest, knowing what I’m like, I suspect I would have deserted Jesus just as quickly as the other disciples. They travelled with Jesus for three years solid and left Him in His greatest hour of need. Personally, my dedication to Jesus wavers on most days ending in the letter y.

But I think this question arises from the false assumption that Jesus was a helpless victim.

I’m not sure He was.

Sure, Jesus was brutally killed. But the cross is ultimately an expression of love in action. Jesus Himself could have stopped the events of Easter, but He didn't.

Furthermore, completely mindful of the results that the cross achieved (a right relationship between us and God), I'm not sure Jesus would want me to save Him.

The words Jesus cried upon the cross aren’t the words of a helpless victim, but the history-controlling-God doing what it took to bring humanity back to their Creator.

John 19: 25-27 – Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

This passage opens up the very human elements of the cross. Here we encounter a son and a mother. After hearing the angel declare His conception... After watching Him “grow and become strong; filled with wisdom, and the grace of God...” (Luke 2:40)... After feeling the anxiety of losing Him at the temple... After seeing Him turn water into wine... After hearing His teachings... When the majority deserted him, His mother stuck by His side.

Now she is grief stricken at the foot of the vile execution device.

Even as He hung on the cross, Jesus thought of others. This is a scene of tender love. Jesus committed the care of His mother to the lone disciple who saw His final moments.

In all likelihood, Mary’s husband Joseph died before the public ministry of Jesus, and with one of His dying breaths, Jesus takes care of some earthly business. As her eldest son it was His job to make sure she was provided for.

Remember, as you strive to follow God, don’t forget your responsibilities.

John 19:28 – Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Upon the cross the Water of Life was parched.

In His final few moments Jesus was aware that the scriptures had to be fulfilled. With this simple cry a vinegar drink was raised to His lips, fulfilling the words of Psalm 69:21.

Even though this verse could have been overlooked, Jesus made sure the words of the psalmist came true. Jesus lived a life in absolute submission to the will of the Father and the salvation story which God was weaving.

Not for the first time, during His penultimate hours, Jesus displays His humanity.

Jesus can sympathise when we feel alone and abandoned by God…
Jesus dealt with His family responsibilities…
Here we are reminded that Jesus can sympathise with our physical sufferings. Jesus thirsts.

As we draw closer to Good Friday (and we’ll look at why it has this title on Friday), be mindful of the events from Gethsemane to Golgotha, and be thankful for the price which the incarnate God paid to fulfil the scriptures and open a way for you to be one with your Creator.

John 19:30 – When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

it was a day when a completely good... absolutely innocent man... was betrayed by one of his closest friends... abandoned by all... endured a fixed court case... with false witnesses... with no presumption of innocence... held under the cover of darkness... prosecuted by the wrong person... with no defence entered or allowed... was beaten... spat on... whipped... tortured... overlooked for a murdered... who heard those who cheered Him then cry for His death... who had to transport His own death implement... held to it by five inch nails... stripped naked... mocked by those who passed by... insulted by those who orchestrated his murder and those who were killed beside him... who endured an excruciating ordeal... dying a death reserved for the lowest of the low... the worst of the worst... a demise off limits for those under Caesar... the victim, in Jewish eyes, being cursed by God... who in his own words was FORSAKEN BY GOD…

It was the ultimate injustice. Before his own mother, a son, a friend, a teacher, the King, the Messiah, the SON OF GOD was killed. The day the bread of life was broken and the blood of the Lamb spilt.

WHY DO WE CALL THIS DAY GOOD???

The only reason we can dare call this day Good is because of what it achieved. It tore down the division between humanity and God. The work of reconciling humanity and God was finished.

The results of Jesus’ death and resurrection are the reason we celebrate Easter and can call Good Friday Good.