From time to time I'm in a situation where I feel imminent danger. Danger that could lead to certain death and for a moment I ponder the loss of my mortal life. With a deep breath and a sigh for those who would be without me, I happily accept what is my gain, which is being with the Father in Heaven.
I was watching the P ot C this Easter as I always do and I was suddenly struck with something I couldn't understand. Something that I've never even thought of. It was both question and an answer lying squarely in the root of the thought.
Why did Jesus struggle so much with his impending death?
Was he afraid of the merciless beating?
Was he afraid of the ridicule?
Did he care that the people he'd healed and raised from the dead only days before would now be rejecting him?
Did he have a single mortal concern?
I believe the answer is no. Before I say why, let me offer you this.
When I watched the Pharisees and Scribes conspire against Christ, and as the impetuous and character free leadership patronize my Jesus, I was ANGRY. In fact, bringing slaughter to all who partook of the air in the rooms where such irreverence for the Lord of Lords took place, would be but a small step in the halls of justice. Yet Christ did nothing. He never spoke in his defense, he never offered suggestion, didn't provide a new angle, didn't explain, didn't not react. He remained with character, falsely accused, burdened with the weight of his lack of offense, all while simultaneously realizing that a defense of his character would only bring more attacks, and yet the goal was to save mankind and defeat Satan in the most clever of ways.
Christ's triumph over Satan was awesome; but let us say why. Christ did not march into Satans camp on Percheron horses, guilded with steal and adorned with battle array. He slipped in, under the radar by being perfect and taking all Satans power from him, from within him. How?
He assumed all responsibility for everything bad and wrong about us. The sin that Satan snuck into this world, Christ took from us and he returned it to it's rightful owner. He pulled a play from Satan's handbook. He didn't do the full frontal assault that Satan was expecting. He left all the power Satan has over people by sin, at his doorstep. Return to sender, address unknown. It's tant amount to being engaged, debating vigorously, believing victory is eminent, only to find out that you're biggest debate point has been nullified by the judge and now an awkward silence has overtaken the room. I have not yet the words that describe this picture that I see - but I love Christ for his ingenuity, for fulfilling our need to be saved in a way that is unanwerable.
Jesus Christ, by his death and resurrection has thrown down the microphone and walked off the stage in triumph in the battle over our souls.
Now, back to why he lamented his death so much. If you haven't got it already, here it is. Christ lamented not his death, since he knew that his death would rejoin him to his Godly status and but a few hours of pain was nothing in comparison to what he faced. This is it, are you ready?!
Imagine you've created everything, imagine you have power over everything, imagine even the rocks speak to you and praise you for who you are and then; you, being the embodiment of all that is, have to endure a beating, and impetuous, false accusations from many of your creations. How much restraint would it take you to not just want to snap your fingers and start fresh. The Bible NEVER records a complaint from Jesus about the pain. Only that no one has power over him, except that it come from the Father, as he spoke to Pilate. A power that Jesus had submitted to in this process.
So you see, I don't know about you, but if I knew that I was something that has always existed, outside of time, and that I'm the beginning and the end, lord of lords, king of kings, prince of peace, mighty God...I might have a very low tolerance for people falsely accusing me, beating me and trying to kill me.
That is why I believe that Christ did not want to go through this. I admire him, and am in love with him. I'm his slave and I'm gloriously and abundantly happy about that.
Peace be with all of you.
