the confrontation

Luke 23 has been open on my desktop today.  The story there is so hard for me to comprehend.  Jesus, in His young adult life was the source of much contention.  Many loved Him.  Many more did not.  He went about doing His Father’s will; and the more that He accomplished, the more the religious leaders hated Him.

Luke 23 is the culmination of all the strife and sin in the world since the beginning of time. The confrontation brings it all to a head…  A big, ugly, blistering head.

Pilate has the soldiers bring Jesus to him and questions Him. When Pilate defers to Herod and nothing is done, he ends up with the decision in his hands.  The crowd overwhelmingly demands “Crucify Him!”  And Pilate gives in.

A man who wasn’t at fault, died an atrocious, shameful death, in the place of all who are or ever have been guilty .  Undeniably it seems like an unfair and unthinkable solution to the conflict.

You’re wondering, why I’m reading the “Easter Story” in the middle of January, aren’t you?   It is hard to explain, but I’ll try.

There are times when all the sinfulness, pain, and hard-heartedness of humanity is overwhelming to me.  My systems are on overload.  Its all I can see sometimes: friends suffering from disease, loved-ones trying to survive insurmountable difficulties.  And then there’s my own obstacles of sin and fear, and doubt.   As it all boils up and festers, like a hot, foul, disgusting mess in my heart – sickening me, disabling me – often it seems like there’s no answer, no help, no healing.

Now, it is true that this story of Christ’s crucifixion is multi-faceted – and I can in no way address all of the theology that surrounds it.  I am no theologian, I promise you that.  However, I can tell you this: There is one answer to the questions surrounding my current confrontation with sin and its devastation.  It is the same answer that has always been- the same as the answer I’ve found in Luke 23.

One death.  Christ’s death.  In those hours on the cross, and the following death – He took on Himself the sin and suffering of the whole world.  It is hard for me to understand most of the time – and so the struggle is ongoing in my heart.  The deeper I come to believe that there is no answer but One, the closer I come to resolution and restoration.   This knowledge is a salve for my weary soul, when I apply it liberally.

from Romans 6:

⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ⁶ We know that our old self^[ was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. ⁷ Forone who has died has been set free from sin. ⁸ Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ⁹ We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

There is a “Man of Sorrows” – who knows and understands every imaginable pain and suffering I could possibly go through.  And, as I am united together with Him in suffering, there is also a full and robust hope that I will also live eternally with Him someday.

His death (and resurrection that followed) was the only hope then, and it continues to be.  Over and over this week I’ve read these passages and listened to a few meaningful hymns…  Hope rises from the bottoms of my feet, all the way to the top of my head, and the healing of my heart ache begins.  And I find truer, stronger belief in this solution that will end all confrontation, forever.

What a Savior!

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!