(Part 3 of 3)
“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”-John 19:23-27
Jesus had just been beaten, scourged and now nailed to a cross. He was in the most agonizing moment of His life and yet when He looks out and sees His mother. Through the blood and the pain we get a glimpse of Christ’s compassion.
He commissions John to take care of His mom. I don’t know about you, but when I am going through a difficult situation, I can become so focused on myself and my situation that I fail to look up. Considering what He was walking through, no one that day would have faulted Him for failing to make provision for His mom’s care. What Jesus was facing was certainly of greater concern than the need facing his mother. However, instead of putting His head down and pressing forward to His destiny, He chose to lift up His head and respond to a need in someone else’s life.
Jesus was demonstrating compassion as He died on the cross. A lesson we must learn if we are going to live as Jesus died.
Beyond the humility, meekness, and compassion that Christ showed us from the cross; the forgiveness that He displayed may have been His greatest message:
“There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.”-Luke 23:32-34
Jesus was led out and crucified like a criminal. He was beaten, barely clothed and left hanging for the world to see. He came to His own people and they rejected Him. Yet, from the cross we see no anger, no bitterness, no desire for revenge. Jesus rather responds with forgiveness. Next to love, forgiveness may be one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Christ’s act of forgiveness stands as a testament to the life He lived. When we live as Jesus died, the forgiveness that we show others stands as a testament to the world that we have died with Him as well.
Walking with Christ, means living as Jesus died by letting our lives reflect His in humility, meekness, compassion and forgiveness!
Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church
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