THEY
Who constitutes the “they”? It struck me that there is more to it than this. In my mind I saw the meaning of this simple word rippling out in ever increasing circles. Yes, the soldiers were given the task but who gave them the task and who do they represent. Take time to think about it again now that I have given you my perspective.
CRUCIFIED
What a shocking word! Take some more time to take in the horror of what is wrapped in that word. Consider also THEY applied this action to HIM
HIM
This horrific death sentence was applied to the One, who sustains the Universe by the power of His Word, by the beings He created. And more to the point He allowed it to happen.
THERE
Like the ripple effect was applied to “They”, so too with “ There”. Remember the address – ending with Earth.
When you investigate these four words one by one as we have done over the last four Gems you realise again the depth and significance of that event on the cross. Remember that is the event which split time – BC and AD. An event like no other in human history. We measure time by it and so we should. The most significant event for each one of us personally and the most shocking for us to contemplate. I would suggest that you put the four words together now and ponder the significance deeply of the sum of the concepts expressed. It is staggering.
Some of you have responded to me over these last four Gems and have told me of the challenge and the inspiration that the study of these four words has meant to you. Yes when you put all of these concepts together it has monumental significance. But I have only scratched the surface of what happened at the cross; there is way more.
I am going to move on after this Gem to the end of chapter 23 in Luke. There is some complexity in what follows so in order not to waste any time in the preparation I am giving it to you today. (See the segments below). A glance will show you there is quite a degree of difference between the Gospel accounts and so we need to look at what follows through the eyes of each Gospel writer. Notice particularly how the recognition of who Jesus really was came through the eyes of the least likely people. That is interesting when Luke has taken care to tell us of the nature and planning of the opposition through the efforts of those who should have known. The truth about the Christ is revealed it seems by those who are on the periphery and least expected to know who this One really was. That’s ironic, especially in the light of the importance of this event.
Lots to ponder. I will leave it there at this point.
But then give you the following segments in total until the end of Luke 23, in harmony with the other gospels as well.
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last. Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.” And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts. And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.
And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Luke 23:44-56
Your understanding of a thing is dependant upon the degree to which you are willing to ask the hard questions.
Anon
Life is less a matter of getting the right answers and more a matter of asking the right questions.
Anon
If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.
Anon
A winner knows how much he still has to learn even when he is considered an expert.
Anon
A loser wants to be considered an expert before he has learned enough to know how little he knows.
Anon
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
Benjamin Franklin