JESUS

JESUS (7 of 8) CRUCIFIED

Satan now found a more opportune time to approach Jesus with additional contempt.

It is harvest time. Jesus is so weak. The perfect time to tempt.

Satan rubs hands together. Christ’s soul is ripe and seems within Satan’s reach.

Soon the devil thinks he will have Jesus’ soul and no longer love and goodness can He teach.

Three vertical and three horizontal beams are attached together at the top of the hill;

waiting for the bodies of two robbers and one religious zealot to fill.

The two robbers struggled and screamed as the executioner drove in each spike with a hammer.

Jesus offered no resistance as each spike was driven in. Not even one audible stammer.

As Jesus was dying, bleeding and suffering for the sins of me and you;

instead of hate or regret Jesus said, “Father forgive them. They know not what they do.”

The soldiers curiously listen to every word.

The words, “Father forgive them”; never before had they heard.

Satan was like a snake coiled and ready to strike. Seeing God’s son suffer gave him much delight.

Satan told Jesus to save himself if He is the Son of God. The brightness of day turned into darkness of night.

Between sponges of vinegar to quench Jesus’ thirst Jesus was told to save himself if he was a King.

Yet through all the pain, humiliation and hurt; FORGIVENESS for sins of the world Jesus did bring.

Jesus looked down from the cross at Satan with swollen eyes filled with love instead of hate.

In spite of His pain and suffering Jesus never considered Satan’s bait.

If Jesus had wanted to forget it all He only had to ask His Father in Heaven above.

This gives real heart felt meaning to the verse; “To give one’s life for a friend requires no greater love.”

The centurion was intrigued by Jesus and wondered why He never shouted out in anger or pain.

Then he wondered if Jesus was a king then in death what did Jesus have to gain.

As Jesus’ soul was amputated without anesthesia He cried, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Yet with love and full understanding Jesus accepts what is to be.

After His last breath, Jesus uttered, “It is finished.” Crossing the victory line He sees His Father’s face.

“Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” Jesus died as He lived. In His Heavenly Father’s embrace.

The centurion wondered who this man is on the cross high in the air.

Studying the face of Jesus revealed a lifeless body that seemed to be in incarnate prayer.

Jesus had preached from the valley and from the mountains high

but this sermon is from the cross where His body does cling.

The crucifixion was the last sermon of love Jesus had for us. He endured all that suffering.

The lamb that was slaughtered was Jesus. The battle to save our souls had been won.

Instead of lamb’s blood smeared on a door post the blood used was that of God’s own Son.

Richard E. Funnell