Chuck Fattore

Cross

Chuck Fattore

"Life Long Learner"

Cross
Chuck Fattore


"March of the Lamb"

April 16, 2022

Isaiah 53:7: He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to be slaughtered....

On the Monday before Passover Jesus majestically traveled upon a donkey's colt into Jerusalem while being reverently honored by cloaks and tree branches placed in his path accompanied by shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David"; Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord"; and "Hosanna in the highest heaven". However, once the procession entered Jerusalem a hypocritical religious group of Jewish leaders sought out Jesus to kill him. They perceived their status and control over the masses was being threatened by Jesus's humility and holiness and miracles He was performing in God's name! By Friday morning, the Jewish Sanhedrin had replaced the shouts of praise with cries of "crucify him, crucify him." Among the Friday morning death march from Pilate's judgement seat to Golgotha among the crowd were Jesus's women disciples whose weeping and wailing set the tone for this ominous event. Their grief was driven by an awareness that goodness was being persecuted, innocence being mistreated and meekness about to die. At the cross they witnessed Jesus' suffering in agony. In addition to His physical pain, Jesus was tortured by the shame and ignominy of dying on the cross! But the most difficult moment came as he cried out "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?". The departure of His Father's presence was a spiritual agony surpassing all expression! Jesus was actually forsaken by His Father! Yet God never forsakes the children born by the blood of His Son! How can that be? It was my sins that cried out "crucify him crucify him".

Among the Friday morning death march from Pilate's judgement seat to Golgotha among the crowd were Jesus's women disciples whose weeping and wailing set the tone for this ominous event. Their grief was driven by an awareness that goodness was being persecuted, innocence being mistreated and meekness about to die. At the cross they witnessed Jesus' suffering in agony. In addition to His physical pain, Jesus was tortured by the shame and ignominy of dying on the cross! But the most difficult moment came as he cried out "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?". The departure of His Father's presence was a spiritual agony surpassing all expression! Jesus was actually forsaken by His Father!

In essence my sins made Jesus's death necessary event in reconciling mankind to a loving God.

Yet God never forsakes the children born by the blood of His Son! How can that be? It was my sins that cried out "crucify him crucify him". In essence my sins made Jesus's death necessary event in reconciling mankind to a loving God.

Acknowledging my role in His crucifixion causes me to be filled with sorrow! In exchange for my sins Jesus gave me the hope of sharing His eternal glory. I gave him death and he gave me a newne ss of life and the promise of spending eternity with the Trinity in glory!

During this Easter season let our gratitude be awaken; let our humility be deepen and our love for Jesus be quicken. • Love and grief my heart dividing, • With

  • Love and grief my heart dividing,
  • With my tears his feet I'll lave- (wash) Constant still my heart abiding,
  • Weep for him who died to save.
Charles Spurgeon

Updated: 04/15/2022