It was the worst thing that humans have ever done on the face of the earth, but it turned out to be the best day we ever had.
The trial and crucifixion of Christ. How is it that the darkest moment in human behavior could actually work to our benefit? You would suspect that bad behavior would be met with punishment. Those who persecute the innocent should be punished, right? But in God’s economy our actions always fall short. Our most creative and depraved attempts to be bad cannot prevent God from using them to do good. And I suspect that our praises and efforts to exalt God on earth fall just as short. We are human, and in our human form, we are weak. The only people who were surprised on the day Jesus was crucified were his followers. Heaven wasn’t surprised. Although I’ll bet every angel in heaven held their breath as Jesus uttered the phrase “why have your forgotten me?” That was something they had never heard before. Or maybe, if the angels were in on it, they were cheering and celebrating….because the Lamb had paid the price, had represented heaven well and was now coming home a victorious King.
I suppose that as I grow a little older I am less optimistic about our political parties. I have learned to be suspicious of people who promise you everything you want…without cost. You would think that we would learn “you can’t get something for nothing” eventually….but we don’t seem to. So when I read that Judas returned to the priests, and wanted to repent and return the money, only to be met by cold hearted thieves….it makes me mad. These men were the priests! The purpose and function of their job is to be the intermediaries between God and man. Had Judas come into the temple with blood money from any other murder, they would have prescribed a sacrifice, said a prayer and asked God to absolve him of his guilt. But instead, since they were complicit in the murder, they chased him away, and he committed suicide. Mark my words, they are going to have to pay for that some day. Jesus was right when He called them “whitewashed tombs”. They looked good on the outside, but inside they were full of greed, envy, lust for power and hate.
God isn’t fooled by our outward appearance. We can look good, like we have it all together, or like we are spiritually mature, but if it isn’t true on the inside, it doesn’t mean a thing to Jesus. In fact, I think it makes Him angry. Let’s not pretend. Let’s honestly open our lives up to Jesus and allow Him to cleanse us from anything inappropriate. The Holy Spirit must recoil in horror as He hears the crowd shout “Crucify Him”. We should be in tune with the Spirit, and recoil as well. It was the darkest day in human history, no doubt. Because of the way that Jesus was treated…and in a smaller sense, because we witness the whole priesthood system breakdown. Corrupt. It has become contaminated, and no longer useful.
Praise the Lord, however. In three days the whole system will be outmoded, and never needed again. Even as they speak, the perfect sacrifice is being prepared. As they plot to keep Him in the grave, He is witnessing to those long dead and displaying His power and authority.
In true human ignorance, these poor misguided souls think they can keep Him in the tomb by sealing it and posting a guard. In reality, He isn’t even there. And when He returns to take possession of His earthly body, nothing is going to stop him for coming out of that tomb. Not two soldiers, not two thousand soldiers. Not two armies. Not two thousand armies. He’s the original irresistible force… and He’s coming out of the grave.
One day every knee will bow before Him. Some will bow willingly in celebration of His victory and His Lordship. Some will be bent reluctantly with rebellion in their hearts. Those who refuse to accept Him now will suffer severe consequences then. And those who do accept Him now will enter into heaven to receive a great reward.
Surrendering all that I know of myself to all that I know of Him,
PR