With the Great Feast just hours away Passover Pilgrims milled around Jesus. They were hoping for an announcement. This Man’s miracle working power had reached its pinnacle in the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. Many of them were convinced that He was their Messiah. They reveled at the thought of His Revelation on that High Holy Day.
When He spoke His words were mixed. “At this moment,” He said, “the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out. And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me.”
People were perplexed. They knew He was talking about His death. “We heard from God’s law that the Messiah lasts forever,” they protested.
Just minutes ago they’d “stampeded after Him.” Lazarus’ resurrection was the “deal breaker” for them. This had to be Messiah. But Messiah doesn’t die!
How, pray tell, can one’s crucifixion; being “lifted up from the earth,” on a cross; a death stake; attract any one to its victim? Everyone?
There’s nothing attractive about an emaciated, brutally tortured mass of breathless, wretched, gory flesh.
Perhaps vengeful onlookers feeling they’re being avenged would find consolation in it. Attractive?
No!
But He said, “everyone” will be attracted. They will “gather … around me.”
There’s no doubt in His voice. His words are as strong as those of any Prophet. Something about His being “lifted up from the earth” on a cross would ultimately make him the “center of attention.”
Could it be His compassion for others while in the throes of personal pain unlike any other pain? He arranged for His Mother’s care from that cross. He prayed for His tormentors when they’d impaled Him there. He prayed for their forgiveness. He prayed for the forgiveness of all humanity there under the “record of broken laws and commandments,” which indicted everyone of us. When a fellow victim asked to be remembered, He said, “today you will join me in Paradise.” What kind of love is this? Gets your attention wouldn’t you say?
There are the things He said to His Father while hanging there between Heaven and Hell. “Why have you forsaken me?” He cried. Then, as He breathed His last breath, He trusted Himself to that same Father, praying, “Father I place my life in your hands.” Unfailing love for His Father would not relent, even in a moment of impenetrable darkness
Then He cried, “with a loud voice – mega phone” – “It is finished!” and promptly died! No asphyxiation. No hours of soldiers’ vigilance. No broken legs to hurry the suffocation. Like a man in charge of everything; commanding His own death as if it were a triumph, He died. At that same moment the massive curtain in the great temple of Jerusalem was torn “right down the middle.” The unapproachable Presence of the Most High God was accessible for the first time since the flaming sword barred the entrance to Eden.
The Roman Officer overseeing His execution was dumbfounded! Never has a victim died like this Man! “This has to be the Son of God. He just quit breathing!” Could this be the “Lord of Life?”
Over the millennia since, literally billions have gathered around Him. Their testimonies are unique. Yet, in all of them, in one way or another, their praise is for His “Love!” His “sacrificial,” “reckless,” “Love!” Has drawn them to Him.
Hasn’t it you?
It has me!
Again today it has me!
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