WHAT IF YOU’RE THE ONE CRUCIFIED AND NOT CHRIST?

Hello. Last week, I have read an article about a bishop stating that it is okay not to feel happy on Easter. I am triggered and started to reflect. I thought that I am like that bishop. I sometimes don't feel the essence of Resurrection Sunday. Holy week might be too trivial for me.

I ask myself to refresh God’s sacrifice on my memory. It happened two thousand years ago so I no longer appreciate it. I’m not a bible scholar. But with some bible texts to back me up, let’s explore the question, “WHAT IF I’M/YOU’RE THE ONE CRUCIFIED AND NOT CHRIST?

1. YOUR DISCIPLE BETRAYED YOU.

The one who gave Jesus away is with him in his three years of public ministry. He is not his enemy. He is not his rival. An ally but pretending to be. You knew (as Jesus) who is the real Judas Iscariote and to whom he belongs to. But you are not spared from the pain of betrayal.

2. YOUR BEST FRIEND PETER, DENIED YOU.

Jesus brought three disciples to intercede with him in the garden: John, James and Peter. They are the ones closest to him. Peter is your boyfriend/girlfriend or best friend who promised to never leave you. But in the midst of trials and persecution, leave you alone. Peter not only left you behind, he denied knowing you! Not even once but thrice!

3. ALL YOUR DISCIPLES FLED AND LEFT YOU.

Mark 14:51–52 (ESV)

51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked

There’s an awkward story in the gospel of Mark. It is about a naked man in the night of Jesus’ arrest. When soldiers seized him, he left without his clothes to flee from them. What a desperate way to flee!

The story is only found in the gospel of Mark. Bible scholars were thinking that the naked man is John Mark, the author himself! The linen cloth that he was wearing are said to be the night dress during that time.

4. PILATE HAD A CHANCE TO SAVE YOU BUT HE STILL ORDERED TO CRUCIFY YOU

We already know the story of Pontius Pilate. He was the roman governor who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He knew that the Jewish religious leaders were only jealous and insecure of you. He made the people chose whom to be set free: Barabbas or you. Well, the people choose Barabbas over you to be set free. He washed his hands in front of the people to remove his guilt. Later on, he lost his post. According to Eusebius of Caesarea’s Ecclesiastical History, he committed suicide. He suffered greatly for what he has done.

There are people who have a choice to do what is right but still do the wrong things for fear of rejection.

5. YOU WERE TREATED LIKE A CRIMINAL.

Imagine, you're convicted for some crimes that you never did. And you’re also subject to public humiliation? You will die as a criminal and the last moment you have on earth is people hurling insults and mockery upon you.

In roman customs, crucifixion is only for most notorious criminals. Scholars said that this punishment is excruciating. You're whipped for 39 times. I don’t wanna discuss anymore the kind of whip used unto you. Then you will carry the cross where you’ll be crucified later on.

Scientist were puzzled why Jesus did not die before his execution. The physical, emotional, mental and social stresses that Jesus suffered are enough for him to die!

6. GOD THE FATHER ABANDONED YOU (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46)

The fourth last words of Jesus:

“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Imagine Jesus and God the father, speaking in the garden. Jesus said:

Mark 14:36 (ESV)

“And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

I will add something to the conversation since I will be Jesus.

GOD THE FATHER: I will forget that you are my begotten son. I will abandon you even if I can save you.

ME: Please, let this pass to me. I am innocent.

It is heartbreaking that your father will abandon you when you need him the most. He knew that you don’t deserve to die because you’re innocent. He is able to save you. He can send legions of angels to save you and to kill your enemies. Or someone will take your place like what he did to Abraham and Isaac. But that is not the case. Jesus still said, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

God made it through because He is God but He had a choice not to do it! He is still human while suffering all those things. He was not spared from human condition! There are many ways to save us! Heroic way but not as a criminal. Until now, I can’t comprehend why Jesus had to go through those trials and sufferings. He incarnated for that very purpose. Never forget that.

He can quit but He never give up. He had many reasons to do so. But for your sake? He never give up on you! I don’t know what to call that except love.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

We never asked Him to do it but He did willingly! He is obedient until the very end of his earthly life!

John 10:18

“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

Because He wanted to be with you in paradise!

Luke 23:43

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

After reading this, can you please pray to God? A simple pray will do. Say anything you want to say. Wherever you are if you can. God bless!