The Shadow of Death

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up his spirit. And, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth did quake, and the rocks split. Matthew 27:50-51

Reading Matthew 27:45-54

Descent from the Cross, depicted by Rubens

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, it is finished (John19:30). He must have been in tremendous physical and spiritual agony, the sort that the world has not seen ever before.

According to King James Version, Christ gave up his ghost. It is curious that after that, all versions when referring to the Holy Ghost said Holy Spirit. It is intriguing that the Holy Spirit was called the Holy Ghost in most places in the King James Version. Today when we say spirit we mean life and when we say ghost we mean the vision of a dead person.

It was fascinating how Jesus on many occasions just walked by or melted into the crowd when a mob of people wanted him dead. However as he hung on the cross he gave up his spirit, something only he as God could do. In John’s gospel he said he had the power and authority to lay down his life and  take it up again. He was simply saying he had the divine power over life and death (John 10:18).

After all the death that Jesus chose was filled with agony, suffering, and humiliation. Neither did Jesus want to live comfortably, nor did he want to die comfortably. Here we see the Good Shepherd deliberately lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11).

When Jesus died the gospel account says the veil in the temple tore in two. It was symbolic of the doors of heaven falling open to all who believed in him. During Jesus time the veil in the temple signified that God and man were separated because of sin. But Jesus death caused us by the grace of God to have free access to heaven.

The Shadow of Crucifixion

The Shadow of Humiliation and Contempt

Matthew 27:31-43

“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.42

He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”43

Crucifixion, seen from the Cross by James Tissot, c. 1890

As Jesus hung on the cross many came by to mock and taunt him. This was a taste of Jesus cup of suffering he had to endure on the cross. He had prophesied that he would die, and now as he hung on the cross he faced gibes and curses of the passers by.

The Sanhedrin condemned Jesus for blasphemy because he claimed to be the son of God. Those who mocked him, also mocked him for his faith in God. They laughed and sneered, who will rescue him now? God!!

Is this not what many like to question about God? It is God’s character in the midst of disasters and heinous crimes. How do you believe in a God when the innocent suffer? As C. S. Lewis says this is atheism most potent weapon against the Christian faith.

Dr. Paul Brand was a pioneer in the field of medicine in leprosy. He dedicated his entire life for the greater good of leprosy patients. He was passionate about making the world a better place for them. He strove to find ways to heal them physically and spiritually. The leprosy patient because he could not sense pain ended up with alarming consequences in their life. He saw pain as a sensory warning for the body and soul. He asked the question, “Can one live in a world without pain?”

Can children be born into this world without pain? Does the mother remember all the labor pains after the child is born? Can the world be redeemed without pain? In the light of this beloved healer’s questions we can see why Jesus had to endure the cross to gain the gift of eternal life for all who believe in him.

There were some who looked up at Jesus and saw him as some one who tried to challenge the religious authorities and found his just reward on the cross. While there were others silently weeping as they saw Jesus humiliated and hanging on the cross. How do you see Jesus?

Shadow of Accusation

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth: he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7

Reading  Matthew 27:11-14; 20-29

Antonio Ciseri's depiction of Ecce Homo, 1871.

As Jesus was brought before the Roman authorities for sentence by crucifixion, he did not say anything to defend himself or even curse his enemies. His silence was deafening through out his trial.

This messianic prophecy of Isaiah was written 700 years before Christ was born. Jesus was compared to a lamb that was brought to be slaughtered but did not complain or make any resistance to his accusers.

We can only imagine his mind blessing those who curse him and praying for those who stood before him and accused him of blasphemy and treason (Matthew 5:44).

As Jesus was being falsely accused of various crimes that required death on the cross, Pilate marveled at his calmness and meekness in the face of his accusers. Pilate realized that these accusers were trying to accuse Jesus of various crimes but they did not have any kind of evidence to put him to death.

It was amazing to see how willingly and patiently Jesus endured his accusers, as he knew he was doing the will of his Father. He did not say anything against God or man. It was almost a witness before God and man this is why I am laying my life down for all of you. It was through his sufferings that we were able to approach the throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Today we see so many people crying out to God for justice. It seems like God is not listening. People of faith keep praying for justice and mercy but all we hear is the silence from heaven. To all who suffer in this way, Jesus witness stands out as a source of strength to believe in a God even when he appears to be silent.

The Shadow of Denial

Then he began to curse and to swear, saying, I don’t know the man. And immediately the cock crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crows, you shall deny me three times. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:74-75

The Denial of Saint Peter, by Caravaggio

As Peter sat outside the palace of the High Priest, on three separate occasions people in the crowd identified him, asked if he was associated with Jesus.

The first denial Peter evaded the question with a vague answer by saying he did not know what the servant girl was talking about.

The second denial he clearly said with an oath that he did not know Jesus.

The third denial he swore and started to call curses on himself if he was lying.

Peter was so irritated and angry with himself and with the Jewish authorities who had captured Jesus. He at that point in time did not in any way want to be associated with Jesus.

Peter was cripplingly under the shadow of denial. He was in the company of people who were out to kill his teacher and Lord and he was too ashamed to say that he knew him. When we are in bad company nothing really matters but the approval and praise of those we associate with.

When he denied Jesus for the third time he heard the cock crow, and he was so overwhelmed with guilt that he went out and wept bitterly. He suddenly realized he had abandoned Jesus and wanted to have nothing to do with him. This guilt made him so full of shame and remorse he could not contain himself any longer (Matthew 10:32-33).

Peter had earlier in the upper room told Jesus proudly that he would not only go to prison with Jesus, but also to death. Proverbs 16: 18 comes to mind where it says pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. The arrest of Jesus came so unexpectedly for Peter he was not prepared.

But it is the same Peter whom Jesus prophesied that he would build his church upon (Matthew 16:13-20). Peter who wept so bitterly with tears of repentance after denying Jesus, went away never to deny Jesus again. 

Shadow of Agony

And he came out, and went, as usual, to the Mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said to them, Pray that you enter not into temptation. And he withdrew from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed saying, Abba Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke 22:39-44

Jesus praying to God the Father in Gethsemane,

 Heinrich Hofmann, 1890.

It is here the passion of Christ started. The agony he felt in his heart as he thought of his impending death. It was an agony that we as humans cannot understand. It was the coming of the sins of all of mankind being thrust upon him, one who knew no sin. The sacrificial lamb bearing the sins of the whole world, that would separate him from his Father whom he has known even before the world was created.

It is here the humanness of Christ comes out. We see the tenacity of his faith being tested. He knows he will do anything for God the Father. So he prays if God is willing to remove the bitter cup of suffering.

Jesus must have prayed loudly enough for the disciples to hear him. They could possibly have seen an angel coming down to strengthen Jesus during his prayer. But the disciples were so overcome with lethargy that they just couldn’t stay awake. They still had not understood that Jesus was in any kind of danger.

It was a covenant that God made with Abraham that through him all the nations will be blessed. In Jesus it was being fulfilled. It was the only way for God to reconcile with the world through the death of his son

There was a big difference in this prayer of faith, Jesus emphatically said to God the Father not my will but your will be done. This was not one of those occasions where he prays in faith for fire to descend on the people who want him crucified or mountains to be moved and fall on his enemies. It was a humble prayer of submission to the will of God the Father.

Jesus was beginning to get the bitter taste of death as he prayed earnestly in the garden. He prayed so earnestly that his sweat became drops of blood falling on the ground. As he prayed an angel came down and ministered and strengthened him.

It was the prayer of a son looking up to his father as he goes out to face his enemies on earth and the even greater ones in the spirit world. Knowing that he is going to die. As the shadow of the agony of death cast its shadow upon him he was praying sincerely for divine guidance. It was Jesus way of looking up for the final blessing before the beginning of his passion.

Shadow of Betrayal

Shadows of Darkness

Matthew 26:20-25

I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. Ezekiel 13:7

 Sheep having no Shepherd  ~~ Matthew 9:36

As they were approaching the mount of Olives Jesus said, behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man going his own way, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. (John 16:32)

Jesus prophesied to his disciples that the hour had come for him for him to die. Peter the self-confident disciple of Christ said, Lord wherever you go, I will follow. But Jesus said that all of them would betray him.

He quoted Ezekiel and used the words of God the Father, where Jesus (the Shepherd) would be struck down, and all his disciples (the sheep) would be scattered and go their own ways.

Jesus was predicting that they were going to be covered by the shadow of betrayal. In this period of darkness they would stumble and fall. They would loose their confidence in Jesus. Seeing Jesus powerless like a shepherd that has been slain, they would all be overwhelmed with the darkness of fear and be scattered.

Yet Jesus was confident of one thing, that God his Father was with him. Although all he could see for the next several hours was pain and suffering he was sure that God would never desert him. He was sure that he was doing the will of his Father in heaven.

Does it matter if the whole world deserts us, but we are certain that God is by our side?

Suffering Servant

“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” Isaiah‬ ‭53:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today many of us Christians drive in cars, wear nice clothes, and live in beautiful homes. Yet Jesus our leader had no where to lay His head. The path that he chose was a path of simplicity and poverty. His 3 year ministry was nomadic and was probably a stranger to many in his early part of His ministry. He most likely did not have any worldly possessions, like a donkey or a horse. He almost certainly had only two or three sets of clothes and the sandals he wore. Isaiah says, "He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” If He were to pass by us, would we recognize Him? Is there anyone alive today who can tell us what Jesus really looked like? Was it really important to us what He looked like? Probably because everybody grew beards, Judas had to be paid to identify Jesus after sundown.

We know more about the spiritual image of Jesus than his physical appearance. His spiritual beauty that was calm, peaceful, gentle, loving and compassionate was outstanding. Isaiah 7:14 says, “a virgin shall conceive a child and He shall be called Immanuel (God with us).” That is what Christ was a fulfillment of this oft repeated prophesy. God with us. Following the ascension of Christ, early Christians came to sense the joy of Christian living, by surrendering all they had to live in communities that loved and cared for each other. This living presence of Christ is still seen today in the life of those who surrender themselves to Him to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

When the movie Passion was being released many of us were fearful of going and seeing the movie because of the dehumanizing graphic violent scenes being portrayed on the screen. Did the director Mel Gibson exaggerate the suffering that Jesus went through? Was the focus more on the brutal violence or the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? The beating that Jesus endured in the movie would probably have killed him even before He was nailed to the cross. Which is more important the suffering and death of Jesus or his new life and resurrection? Haven’t there been many innocent people who have endured brutal scourging and death before and after Jesus? What sets Jesus apart from the rest (Luke 22:19-20)?

When Jesus was led away from the whipping chambers, he was presumably bleeding and in great pain. The words of Isaiah prophesied with astounding precision, "He was so marred that it was hard to recognize Him (Isaiah 52:13- 53:9).” When Jesus repeated this prophesy before his crucifixion for the third time, the disciples did not understand what He meant (Luke 18:31-34). God greatly glorified Jesus for the suffering He endured on the cross. The way Jesus chose was not won by toppling the Roman rule on Israel, but through suffering, pain, torment, and death on the cross. What seemed like an eminent defeat was declared a victory when Jesus rose from the dead.

“He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well. All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved.” Isaiah‬ ‭53:5-6‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Jesus suffered and died for us so that we may enjoy the riches of God’s Kingdom (1 Peter 1:19; Hebrews 9:22-28). God so loved the world that He sent Jesus so that we may be saved through Him and have everlasting life (John 3:16). It is like a family name, property, and traits which we inherit down through generations. We are identified by our family name. So also at the name of Jesus all of us have been invited to become a part of the family of God and have been given the gift of everlasting life. Isaiah 53:5 says with amazing precision about the reason for Jesus’ suffering, “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the punishment that brought our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Today we can affirm with all our fellow believers the words of Paul from Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Jesus: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Jesus lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Seven Last Utterances of the Suffering Servant

As Jesus is being led away to be Crucified, there are many women who stood helplessly mourning and wailing seeing the plight of Jesus. Jesus looks to them and implores them not to weep for him, but for themselves. “If these are the things they do when the branch is green, what will happen when it is dry?” If this is what they will do when the Son of God was alive, what will they do when he is dead? Barclay says, if this is what they do to Jesus who is innocent, beware of what will happen to those who are really guilty. It is a difficult statement to interpret.

 "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing". Words said by Christ from the cross. Passionate words said by many saints of God under crushing and treacherous circumstances. Can we be so forgiving of our persecutors? Do we find ways to get our revenge on those who give us a hard time? Do we simmer with hatred when we are helpless in the face of the taunts from those who torment us? Christ is showing us the way to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Such is the nature of Christ that his concern for his enemies far exceeds whatever harm they have done to him.

 “Eloi Eloi Lama Sabatachathani.” The bystanders think he is calling out to Elijah. “My God My God why have you forsaken me?” Jesus is under tremendous physical and spiritual distress with his seperation from God. Mary the mother of Jesus as she hears her son’s heart rending cry is inconsolable. It is probable that the many women, who stood at a distance and heard the cry, are wailing tearfully equally loud hearing Jesus' cry.We pause and wonder; Is Jesus dreading death as he sees it fast approaching? Is Jesus crying out to God for not answering his prayer at Gethsemane? Did the thought of separation from God overwhelm him? Was it at this point that the sins of all mankind were laid on his heart? Did he experience a complete blackout of the presence of God? As darkness veils his lovely face we praise God for his unchanging grace.

 “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” This is one of the most powerful utterances that Jesus made from the cross. Psalm 22 begins with these words. The spiritual significance of what really transpired on the cross, is beyond human comprehension. But we do believe that in some way by the grace of God we have all been forgiven of our sins. There have been many who felt that Jesus prayed Psalm 22 as he hung on the cross. These were the words that he verbalized loudly as he cried out in pain and anguish. He was living and fulfilling the word of God that had been prophesied about him a long time ago.  

As Jesus hung from the cross exhausted, bleeding and almost naked, the things he heard and saw were disparaging. Apart from his dear family and friends that hung around, the major characters were only people who jeered and derived sadistic pleasure in watching the men die. Leaders laughed and scoffed saying, “let him save himself, if he is God’s chosen Messiah”. The soldiers mocked him saying, “If you are the King of the Jews save yourself”. A signboard nailed to the cross read, "This is the king of the Jews." The verses in the Psalm 22 elaborate that the bystanders would mock him saying that he heard the cries for help and saved many who put their trust in Him, but when it came to himself he could do nothing. The words, “Physician heal thyself” come to mind. But Jesus hung on the cross not to save himself but the world. To show us that God loved us so much, that even while we were sinners, he was showing us a map for us to take, to find this way of grace and mercy that will enable us to live with him to eternity. 

 The psalmist says “my strength has dried up like sun baked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth”. Jesus was extremely thirsty and physically tired as he hung on the cross. The psalmist says, “They divide my clothes among themselves and throw dice for my garments”. Even as he lay dying, the soldiers gambled for Christ’s clothes by throwing dice (probably his only worldly possession was gambled off). Christ’s robe was given to the one who won the draw on the dice. “You have left me in the dust and left me for dead”. Once Jesus died his body was left on the ground for dead. “Not one of the bones of the righteous will be broken”. One way to speed up the death of those crucified was to break their bones. However Jesus died before the need arose. These words of King David, expressed at a time of deep anguish, are some of the words Jesus expressed as he hung on the cross. Though the psalm starts with deep sorrow it ends with great hope. 

 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “if you are the Messiah save yourself and us as well”. Are these the words to be heard when one is dying? Is this the death deserving of an innocent man? Even as Jesus leaves this world as the son of man, the scars on his body and spirit are going to stay with him. Christ did not see any other way, than to become a man to understand the plight of humans and above all to show them what God expected of them. The other criminal said, “He has done nothing wrong”. He turned to Jesus and said "Jesus remember me when you come into your Kingdom”. These words have been cherished in prayer and song as thousands beseech Jesus to remember them when He comes. Amidst all that taunting while Jesus hung on the cross, one person who showed sympathy to Jesus was an undesirable criminal…the thief on the cross. He realized that Jesus had done nothing to deserve crucifixion. Jesus assured the man that “today you will be with me in paradise”. Again we see the grace of God in action, even at the last minute there is salvation for the sinner that repents. Does that mean we can live a life of immorality or disobedience and wait until the last instant when we can look to Jesus for forgiveness? James and John had wanted to reign with Jesus in his Kingdom, one on the left and the other on the right. Should they have also hung by the sides of Jesus on the cross?

 “Woman he is your son.”, “She is your mother.” Jesus entrusted his loving mother to his beloved disciple John. Even while dying Christ thought of his mother. Joseph, it is believed, had died. Did Jesus have any siblings? Were they still living? Was it Mary his mother, or John his disciple, or both of them that were in need of this new relationship? Here was Jesus handing over, probably his only living dependent family member, his loving mother, into the hands of one his trusted disciples. He must have been having problems breathing. They say one of the hardest things to do when you hang on the cross is to breathe. Speaking must have been extremely difficult. Here was the consummation of a new relationship, of a mother and a son brought together as the last wish of a dying man. A relationship brought about by the living God.

 “I am thirsty.” I thirst for water. Was it only water that Christ was crying out in thirst for? Did he also mean than he was thirsty for the living God. Was his soul thirsting for the communion he had had with the living God since the beginning of time?

 “It is finished.” The job is done. Father, there it is, the last of my breath, I have been faithful to the end. I have endured the cross, suffered the pain, and now I am ready for the crown. Isn’t this what we all look forward to in our Christian walk? To finish well. 

 “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.” Even in death Jesus shows us how to die. He calmly surrenders his spirit to the Lord. Where did the Spirit of Christ go when it left his human body? On Easter day it reunites with the human body and in some strange way appears to the disciples and many others who believed in Him. The mysterious disappearance of Christ’s body from the grave keeps the world embroiled in debate whether he rose from the dead or not.

 The sun went down. Thick veil in the temple was torn apart, implying God’s presence is for all people and not restricted to the high priests. There is to be only one mediator between God and people – Jesus. 

The captain of the Roman soldier says that surely Jesus was innocent. Joseph, a member of the Jewish high council and one who had not agreed with their decision to crucify Jesus, took the body down from the cross. He laid Jesus in the grave he had purchased for his own eventual death. Many who had come to watch the crucifixion had to rush back home to observe the Sabbath. However they wanted to make sure that Jesus was dead before they left. Is it not a paradox that we call this day Good Friday and not the Black Sabbath?