Volume No. 2009 Issue No. 10 Date: March 29, 2009
Publication of the BIBLE BAPTIST MINISTRY, 48 Alexie Rd, Hanover Township, PA 18706
Phone: 570.829.5216 pdmikBBM@aol.com pastormiklas@aol.com
In Philippians 2:8 we read, “…He (Christ) humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” On the Road to Calvary, Jesus suffered more than just physical death for us.
On the Road to Calvary Jesus suffered BETRAYAL – “Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.” (Matthew 26:48) It’s bad enough when a loyal friend disappoints us. Peter disappointed Jesus on the eve of the crucifixion. But when a person is discovered to have been a traitor, or becomes one, the pain goes deeper still – as Judas revealed himself as a traitor to Jesus.
On the Road to Calvary Jesus suffered FALSE ACCUSATION – “And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. (13) Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? (14) And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.” (Matthew 27:12-14) When Jesus was falsely accused of blasphemy in I Peter 2:23 we read, “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” Jesus chose to entrust himself to the Judge of all the earth who will ultimately do right.
On the Road to Calvary Jesus suffered MOCKING – “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, (40) And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. (41) Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, (42) He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. (43) He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. (44) The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.” (Matthew 27:39-44) When Jesus was hanging on the cross – He was mocked by the crowds. But as He had done with all the rest of the injustices of His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, Jesus embraced what He knew instead of reacting to what His mockers didn’t know. When you feel a need to apologize for what God hasn’t done, remember all the things He has done.
On the Road to Calvary Jesus suffered TESTING – “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) Just before Jesus expired on the cross, He cried out to God. His words expressed feelings of abandonment: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” But just as Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 with those words, He also knew Psalm 16:10 – that God would not abandon Him in Sheol, but would show Him “the path of life.” Remember this. No matter how difficult times of testing are, the children of God know that He will never abandon not forsake them.
On the Road to Calvary Jesus suffered DEATH – “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.” (Matthew 27:50) Jesus’ death on the cross was the last event on His road to Calvary. He journeyed there to do the one thing that was necessary for the permanent remission of sins: to be the Lamb of God that dies for the sins of the world. Thankfully, we only have to embrace His death and resurrection by faith to secure the spiritual benefits of Christ’s death for us.
As you think about Jesus’ suffering on the Road to Calvary, let’s meditate upon Isaac Watts’ emotionally moving hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet sorrow and love flow mingled down;
did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
In His Amazing Grace,
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