After the Last Supper, Christ pulled away from the apostles, wrestling alone with the reality of what was soon to come. To the eternal one, the next twenty-four hours would seem like an eternity as He was fully committed to the Father’s will, willing that his physical frame be shattered beyond recognition. (Is. 53) The Creator was to be humiliated by His own creation even as the demons of hell, in their full fury, taunted His every effort.
Even before it happened, He knew of Judas’ betrayal. Still, He would receive that kiss of death graciously. Christ the Just, would receive total injustice at the hands of those whom He came to save through false accusations and a mockery of a trial. The Supreme Authority would submit to the Father’s will by submitting to the Roman authorities that He had established before the world was established by the counsel of His own will for this very moment.
He knew of the upcoming agony of the scourging. Cords of a whip, laced with bits of pottery, bone, and metal would sink deeply into His body, pulling off hunks of flesh and even exposing bone with retracted blows, ultimately causing His face to become unrecognizable. (Is. 52:14) Jesus Christ, Creator over all things, would be reduced to “human rubble.”
Now, in real time, He stood before the masses. Pilate, wishing to free Him but fearful of a riot, asked for the people to choose to free the bloody figure standing before them or a murderer and insurrectionist called Barabbas. The people, whom Christ came to save and who only a few days earlier hailed Him as “Hosanna” now yelled, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” The Son of God sacrificially despised that shame and started to endure the walk with the cross strapped to His shoulders.
Walking up the steep route called the Via Dolorous, Christ collapsed onto the dirty road. Many think this fall was because He had been up all night, and His blood loss was exsanguinating. Without a doubt these were major factors, but could there have been an even heavier cross that Christ was bearing, a cross that was invisible to the naked eye?
Christ had always been co-existent with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They had never been separated throughout all eternity, but Christ knew that when He would be suspended between heaven and earth He would be forsaken by the Father as mankind’s sins would be placed upon Him. In that dreadful moment of broken communion, He would cry out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46)
Additionally, and even more terrifying, having been eternally co-existent with the Father, Christ knew the holiness of God and His wrath against sin. Blood had to be continually spilled throughout the Old Testament to cover Israel’s sinfulness. Countless animals were slaughtered so that man might have an ongoing relationship with God. Ultimately, the Father ordained a one-time perfect sacrifice that would satisfy His full wrath once and for all: The Lamb of God. Knowing all this, Jesus was still willing to lay down His own desires in order to fulfill the Father’s purpose. (Is. 54:10) He was going to experience the full vent of the Father’s rage against every sin of man, from Adam to us. In that holy onslaught, Jesus became our propitiation, satisfying God’s wrath once and for all. Now, we enjoy unfettered access to the throne.
May God grant us grace to more deeply understand the true weight of the cross this Easter season. The Father no longer sees our sinfulness but only the righteousness of His Son.
What a glorious thought that Christ rightfully sits at the Father’s right hand. May we worship Him in spirit and truth, giving Him all glory, praise, and honor for carrying the weight of the cross.
Happy Easter from ICHE!
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