Perspectives

Can we ever forget the Easter Season? Can we ever forget how Jesus challenged His people when He approached Jerusalem? He knew that He was about to be crucified. However, the love He had for us, for the whole world, He could not hide. The depths of Christ’s love so wanted to draw together all humankind to the cross; unfortunately, many say, “No! We do not want anything to do with Christ.” Somehow, you and I can feel the pain in Christ’s heart. The extreme anxiety, the rejection, the hurt; but also, the patience of God is there; after all, people in His day and today, still reject Christ and all the messengers that God has sent. However, we can also see the love of God and the patience of God. He did not give up; He did not throw us off like some dirty piece of clothing. His love is immeasurable, unlimited as He puts up with our sins, and our rejection of His invitation.

Christ chooses not to force us to accept His message of salvation. That decision rests with us; we must make that choice. Sometimes I think that it is an awful responsibility, we can either accept or reject Christ’s invitation. Christ will not force His way into our heart; His only weapon, if you want to call it that, is His outstretched arms as He pleads with us to come to the Cross. One more thought that just popped into my mind; is the work in progress that is behind sin. We look on Jesus in all His passion and splendour and still refuse His invitation. The sad part is our heart is not been made with a latch on the outside; it must be opened from the inside. Sin is the deliberate rejection of Christ’s invitation to open the door to our heart.

Matthew 27:45-46 … 45) From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.  46) About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, Lama sabachthani?” – which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (NIV) How about if we pause for just a moment and ask ourselves the question … Is it possible to feel the anguish of Christ’s heart, His passion as His soul is uncovered for us to understand His pain? Do we dare enter Jesus’ heart and mind as the spikes went through His hands and feet, nailed to the cross? He became the sacrifice for the sins of the entire world … hanging between heaven and earth. He became the staircase coming down from God in heaven to knock on the door of our heart that we might open our heart’s door and find salvation. As Christ was hanging their God, forsook Him for a brief moment.

As Jesus was hanging on the cross, during those awful three hours, and as the darkness became impenetrable, He took on all our sins; Jesus gave His life as an offering for all our sins; and God the Father accepted that sacrifice. Christ was suffering! He cried like a wounded helpless person, maybe it did not even sound like a human cry, but like nothing you or I could imagine as our sin was pushed down on Him. Then that awful mob and spectators increase His suffering, by laughing, shouting, and shaking of heads . . . “He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver Him, now let God deliver Him if He is the Christ,” they shouted. Then the Pharisees sat down and watched the Lord Jesus Christ die. One must really be spiritually dead to do that! I do not think a person can get any lower than that! However, what did Jesus do … Luke 23:34: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (NIV) Christ asked forgiveness for their sin and ours. A centurion, a soldier who was in charge of the execution accepted Christ as his Saviour.

A final thought; we cannot possibly understand all that happened between God and Jesus that day. However, we can still overflow with praise when we think that Jesus with His dying breath spoke a prayer of forgiveness for US! That is amazing grace! Yes! That truly is amazing grace. We were lost and spiritually blind; but He taught our hearts to hear His voice; and He encouraged us that we would take notice of that voice so He could enter our hearts and lead us through all our trials and struggles. Let me say it again; amazing, truly amazing! That Christ would forgive a sinner such as me! No wonder our hearts cry out  … To God Be the Glory Great Things He has done! Just imagine when this body of ours, this mortal life shall end, we will be with the risen Christ, enjoying a life of peace and joy beyond anything you or I can imagine … and all because of what Christ did for us on the Cross.

Would you pray this prayer with me … “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins, all my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness to fulfill my hearts desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen