The Inspiration of the Suffering Christ to Us

May 23, 2021

The Inspiration of the Suffering Christ to Us

Pastor To Chongji

Bible Reading: Matthew 27:33-44

Selected Scripture Reading: Matthew 27

33. To a place called Golgotha, which means Calvary. 34. The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with gall. He tasted it, but refused to drink it. 35. When they had crucified him, they cast lots to divide his clothes, and 36. They sat there watching over him. 37. Put a plaque on his head with his incrimination written, saying, "This is Jesus the King of the Jews."

38. At that time, two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.

39. Those who passed by sneered at him, shook their heads, and said: 40. "You who demolished the temple and built it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross. !"

41. The chief priests and scribes and elders mocked him in the same way, saying: 42. "He saved others, but could not save himself. He is the king of Israel, and now he can come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43. He trusts in God. , if God pleases him, he can save him now, because he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"

44. The thief who was crucified with him mocked him in the same way.

Times Meditation:

When Jesus was crucified, the guards gave him vinegar and wine mixed with gall to drink (34), which was used as anesthesia to relieve pain. However, Jesus refused, believing it to be an expression of his willingness to experience the pain of death. The soldiers then drew lots to divide Jesus' clothes (35); the lottery, or dice, was used to determine who would get the prisoner's clothes. This implies that the crucified Jesus was later naked.

Two thieves were crucified with Jesus, one on the right and one on the left. In other words, Jesus is in the middle. This position may reflect the official belief that Jesus was the most guilty of the three, as he was the king of the Jews (37); or the original cross in the middle. The death of the suffering servant, foretold by the prophet, is now fulfilled in Jesus (Isaiah 53:12).

The humiliation of the Lord Jesus is a fragment we recount every year on Good Friday. How exactly do we see these things? Just past history? Or is it enlightening for what we're about to face?

I believe that the suffering of the Lord Jesus has a great comforting effect on those who are in difficult circumstances today. Since our Lord also suffered such humiliation, being humiliated by the name of the Lord is also a way for us to identify with the Lord. In fact, many Christians are still persecuted in the world today, especially in Muslim areas. Church support is also hard to come by where they live, and there were even reports of the tragic executions of Christians by the Islamic State a few years ago.

Answer the prayer:

May the Lord help us to be mentally prepared to suffer for the Lord.