Strength for the Future

KEY VERSE: “As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” —I Corinthians 11:26

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26:17-30

IT IS especially appropriate in partaking of the Memorial emblems to recall at what great cost redemption from sin and death was provided. Think of our Heavenly Father’s love in giving his only begotten Son to suffer and die! And think of what it cost Jesus in terms of mental and physical suffering to be our Redeemer, and the Redeemer of all mankind!

Crucifixion was one of the most agonizing methods of inducing death ever devised by man. Immediately after being condemned, the prisoner was brutally scourged. At the place of execution, he was stripped of his clothing and fastened to the cross, sometimes with cords, other times with actual nails—as was true in our Lord’s case. (Col. 2:14) Adding to the suffering was the fact that the prisoner was usually hung on the cross very close to the ground, permitting him to be directly exposed to the jeers and insults of the passers-by.

Crucifixion was considered such a horrible and humiliating form of death that it was reserved for the very lowest class of criminals. The pains of death were protracted for an especially long period by this method, sometimes lasting for days. The English word “excruciating” literally means ‘from the cross’. Death was finally brought on by the utter exhaustion, hunger, and thirst of the victim, and sometimes was accelerated by the breaking of his legs.

In the minds of many, such a death would carry with it a double significance for Jesus. First, it would imply that he was a criminal in the sight of his fellowmen—those whom he loved so dearly, to whom he had ministered so unselfishly, and for whom he was actually laying down his life. Secondly, it would also carry with it the thought that he was accursed of God, being punished as a blasphemer and one who had dishonored the name of Jehovah. This was to be his lot, Jesus could see, even though he had endeavored throughout his entire ministry to magnify and honor the name of his Father in all that he said and did. What a fate for one who had come to earth for the very purpose of demonstrating God’s love, of glorifying his name, and of providing redemption and salvation for the human race!

Why, we may ask, did the Heavenly Father require that his dear Son pass through such an experience? The answer is provided in Hebrews 5:8, where we read “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” Even our Lord Jesus, who was perfect after the flesh, was in need of developing absolute obedience to the Father, obedience which could come only through suffering.

The Apostle Paul further related obedience to the ignominious path of the cross when he wrote: “Being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death;” yes, “even the death of the cross.”—Phil. 2:8

But even while hanging on the cross—enduring excruciating pain—Jesus was alert to a final opportunity to bear witness to the Gospel of the kingdom. When the thief asked, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Jesus replied, “Verily I say unto you today, shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42,43) While Satan, the prince of this world, was succeeding in putting the “King of kings” to death, Jesus knew that the long-promised messianic kingdom would be established, and that then “all the ends of the world” would “turn unto the Loam” He knew, as had been foretold, that the time would come when, as the great Messiah of promise, he would be “governor among the nations.”—Ps. 22:27,28

Yes, when the end came, Jesus, in faith and confidence, could say, “Into thy hands I commend my spirit,” my life, my all. (Luke 23:46) He had been led as a lamb to the slaughter, and now his sacrifice was finished. The antitypical Passover Lamb had been slain, and as we partake of the emblems which represent his broken body and shed blood we can do so with grateful appreciation of the love which provided redemption and life for us at so great a cost!

| Home Page | Table of Contents |