Can you imagine a bleeding, tortured, dying man nailed to a wooden stake being verbally abused? Not only
did our Lord suffer physically on the cross, He endured abusive speech from those who demanded His death as well:
……………………………..
“And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘You who are
going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself!”
Note this; His accusers were using the very words of Satan, “If you are the Son of God…”
(Matthew 4:3). Can you see what an influence Satan can have over our words and actions? The mockers didn’t have a clue.
It was God’s Will that His Son should die for our sins, but it was the influence of the devil that led Him to the cross.
……………………………..
Even before the crucifixion, Christ bore unkind words. He knows the pain of physical and verbal abuse firsthand.
He was called a “blasphemer,” (Matthew 9:3); spit upon, beaten with fists, mocked, slapped, and betrayed unto
death, (Matthew 27:65-68). One of the two thieves that were crucified with Jesus insulted Him as well, (Matthew 27:44). Our
Lord suffered great physical pain and injustice, for no sins of His own. In the eyes of unconverted Israel, Jesus was a shameful
disappointment to His own countrymen – “He came unto his own, and his own received him not,” (John 1:11).
……………………………..
To make matters worse, the Jews accused Jesus of being demon possessed:
“The Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have
a demon?’” (John 8:48)
“The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who seeks to kill you?’” (John 7:20)
And how did our Lord respond to these accusations? “Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but
I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.” (John 8:49)
……………………………..
Christ gave His back to those who would strike Him; His cheeks to those who plucked out His beard, and He
did not cover His face from humiliation and spitting, (Isaiah 50:6). In all, He took up our infirmities (Matthew 8:7); He
carried our sorrows; was pierced for our transgressions; Punishment that brought us peace was upon Him; By His wounds, we
are healed, (Isaiah 53:4-5). “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right…” (1 Peter 2:24)
……………………………..
Countless Christian’s believe that violence and abuse in their homes is identifying with the sufferings
of Christ. Abused women – and men – have been brainwashed to accept abuse as their duty as followers of Jesus.
Please note that Jesus suffered unto death not for any sins of His own, but for our
sins, past, present and future. Now think about this for a moment – Jesus suffered, bled, and died for sinful mankind – who are you suffering, bleeding and dying for?
……………………………..
With each slap, punch and driven nail, Jesus was fulfilling prophecy – the Redeemer of our souls. Whose
soul will be redeemed by your death when your abuser kills you? Was it prophesied
that you should die for the sins of the world? Is your blood a “redeeming
blood?” Will enduring verbal abuse bring your soul closer to heaven? Or shall depression, pain, shame and the like be
your reward?
……………………………..
Jesus warned us – His disciples that we would suffer, and in many cases – die – for the
sake of the Kingdom of God, (1 Peter 2:21; 2 Timothy 2:3; Romans 8:17; Matthew 24:9). As followers of Christ, true Christians
will suffer in this world, and some will be killed. When we confessed with our mouths that “Jesus Christ is the Son
of God,” we sent a message to the gates of hell – “I am on the Lord’s side.” There will always
be discord among the members of the body of Christ for one reason or another. However, the persecutions, beatings, beheadings,
killings, torture and abuse is to be expected from the world (unbelievers) – not from fellow Disciples of Christ.
……………………………..
The United States armed forces train recruits for military combat against a common enemy. Soldiers aren’t
given weapons to shoot one another – they fight side by side to stay alive, and win the war fought against an adversary.
Christians were given a spiritual weapon, the Holy Bible. Jesus taught the Apostles how to use their spiritual weapon, and
“fight the good fight of faith,” (1 Timothy 6:12).
……………………………..
This same spiritual training passed on to generations of Christian soldiers, but somehow, many forgot that
we are at war. Granted, you don’t hear much about spiritual warfare from the pulpit – but we are at war with the
demons of hell just the same. Not only can Jesus identify with our sorrows, He carried them to the cross:
“Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4)
……………………………..
“In these verses is an account of the sufferings of Christ; also of the design of his sufferings. It
was for our sins, and in our stead, that our Lord Jesus suffered. We have all sinned, and have come short of the glory of
God. Sinners have their beloved sin, their own evil way, of which they are fond. Our sins deserve all griefs and sorrows,
even the most severe. We are saved from the ruin, to which by sin we become liable, by laying our sins on Christ. This atonement
was to be made for our sins. And this is the only way of salvation.
……………………………..
Our sins were the thorns in Christ's head, the nails in his hands and feet, the spear in his side. He was
delivered to death for our offences. By his sufferings he purchased for us the Spirit and grace of God, to mortify our corruptions,
which are the distempers of our souls. We may well endure our lighter sufferings, if He has taught us to esteem all things
but loss for him, and to love him who has first loved us.” 1
1 http://mhc.biblecommenter.com/isaiah/53.htm
