Passion of Christ

 The Passion of Christ

A Resurrection Devotion

As I remember the graphic rendition of the passion week in Mel Gibson's movie of the same name, I was drawn to the meaning of passion. It means the suffering. I know that many have seen the movie and have come out subdued by the suffering portrayed. Let’s look at the scripture of the passion week, and the suffering of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

First, the triumphant entrance. Jesus is riding on a donkey’s colt, symbolic and prophetic of the coming king of Israel. (2 Kings 9:13, Zech. 9:9) As Jesus comes by the Mount of Olives, the people are taking up the chant, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.”

“Hosanna, Hosanna, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” It seems that they were celebrating Jesus, but these same people would come a week later and yell “Crucify Him” Jesus begins to weep as He see Jerusalem and all the people, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes…” Jesus’ suffering was for the blindness and lostness of the people of Israel. His heart was breaking because they were clueless. They thought he was going to be their earthly king, but they didn’t understand. He came to give them peace, a peace that they were totally blind too. 

Next, Jesus drove out the “den of thieves” from the temple courtyard. And then addresses the unbelief of the people for two more days. Jesus’ words spoke to their hearts, yet they didn’t yield to His words, but held onto their duplicity and unbelief.

Thursday, Jesus takes his disciples aside and speaks to them about his upcoming death, servanthood, and partakes in the Lord’s supper and addresses Judas’ betrayal. He leads them to the garden, and it is here that his sorrow becomes so great that he weep. He agonized, grieved and was distressed. He was deeply grieved because of the cup of sorrow he would have to take, and His sorrow and anguish was so great he sweat blood. And the betrayal from Judas by a kiss which led to the arrest by soldiers. Jesus saw his disciples scatter in unbelieve.

Friday, Jesus is beaten, interrogated, not allowed to rest because of being taken to various leaders in the previous night and early morning He is handed over to Romans who beat him to the near point of death. He hears the crowd call for His death, and the release of Barabas, the insurrectionist. He is made to carry His cross to the hill outside of the city, where he would be crucified and died.

Jesus bore our sins as Isaiah 53 prophesied as the suffering servant. In the world today, I believe that we are very similar to the people in the Passion Week. We have some who are devoted followers, and others who are religious yet unsure in their assessment of Jesus, then there are the masses who are looking for peace through the hands of man. 

Jesus, who is now seated at the right hand of the Father, is still interceding for his creation (Rom.8:34) Who then is the one who condemns? “... Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” I believe he is still interceding for the world, especially His church. Jesus gave his life, suffered for us in ways that we can hardly imagine, and yet we can stand in peace and assured because of that suffering. For Paul finished chapter 8 with these words, “Who then is the one who condemns?  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

We are very important to Him, if you believe in Him, live in faith and trust him. You will not be condemned. You will not be separated from His love, no matter how difficult the hardship. We are His flock. We are more than conquerors over sin and death, over the powers of the enemies realm, nor any pestilence on this earth. Like the children’s song, “For Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells us so, little ones to Him belong, for they are weak but He is strong.” 

So remember, Jesus suffered, His passion was for His creation, and even now He is interceding for us at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Happy Resurrection Day!!