I decided to conclude this series on Death with some thoughts on Jesus’s Death
“Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
I read an article about a 48-year-old man named Andew Mehawk from Vesto, N.Y. who was taken to Long Island to have his body put in a capsule to be preserved until there was a cure for his terminal heart disease. His body was packed in ice and rock salt and chemicals. This procedure is available for anyone to do through the Cryonic Society incorporated. Cryonics is the process by which a body is frozen into a capsule, sort of a medical thermos bottle, until the time the body is brought back supposedly when the disease is cured and resurrected.
There are many stories about trying to prolong life or seeking immorality. I was in a play at Bethel called “Dr. Faustus” written by Christopher Marlowe. It was a classic story of a man who sold his soul to the devil to get extra years on this earth. During this brief respite he was granted all wealth, honor, and power, but eventually died and was bound for hell.
Hebrews 2:14 says, “Man lives all his life in the bondage of the fear of death.”
Jesus knew when His appointed time had come to complete His journey on the earth. He knew all was completed just as Scripture said it would be. Jesus was the only one who escaped death, since He was without sin. The Bible says, “The soul that sins shall die”. (Ezekiel 18). So we all experience death at our appointed time. The only reason Jesus agreed to face death was to free us from our sin and grant to us eternal life. He took our sins upon Him.
A number years ago I borrowed from our local library, a print of Salvador Dali painting entitled “Christ of St. John of the Cross.” It is a picture viewing Jesus on the cross from the perspective of God in heaven. Although it was not an attractive painting it was prophetic. Its purpose was to allow us to understand that God the Father, was looking upon the suffering of His only Son. Below Him was the world.
Jesus’ death was real. There are no loopholes. There were no fancy lawyers to get Him released. There was only the verdict - all stood condemned for sin. Justice required death. The only way to remedy our plight was for God to come to earth and take our place.
We all have an appointed time planned by God when our life ends on earth. Jesus’ earthly body ended according to the greater plan - His life for ours and in that act by faith, the devil had lost. There was more to come.
Application: Today meditate on Jesus death and resurrection.
Prayer: Lord, as I meditate on your sacrifice, help me understand all You have done to secure my salvation.
