One Obscure Man

Matthew 27:32-44

As long as the story is told, we will remember the name of one obscure man in a crowd who was minding his own business, was compelled to carry the cross of Jesus.  His name was Simon, a Cyrenian; the area of Cyrene was near the Mediterranean coast in northern Africa.  It is believed that Simon was an ethnic Jew visiting Jerusalem for the Passover.  Simon carried it from the city gates to a place called Golgotha, meaning the place of a Skull.  Jan and I visited the place and it does look like a Shull and it is not on a hill far away, as the song goes, but on a well traveled road into the city, and as you look up on the hillside you will see the image of a skull.  We were told by our guide that the Romans would always crucify the enemy of Rome by the roads leading into town, and sometimes there would be many crosses lining the road before a Roman leader came to town.  Josephus described crucifixion as “the most wretched of all ways of dying.”  Crucifixion was a horrifying and torturous means of execution.  Naked victims were tied or nailed (John 20:25) to a cross.  The victim might remain alive for days, and after death they were often consumed by dogs, carrion birds or insects.  (Taken from page 1669 notes 27:35 of the HCSB)

I’m sure you read the account of how they tried to give Jesus wine mixed with gall, but when He tasted it he would not drink it.  I am sure you recall the soldiers casting lots for His garments, and you will recall the sign placed above His head, it states His crime, and “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”  And I’m sure you remember the two robbers who were crucified with Him, and how they reviled Jesus along with all who passed and the chief priests, the scribes and elders.  Maybe it would be wise to review Matthew’s account: “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.”

We all have practices or habits; one of mine is to begin the morning with Oswald Chamber’s book “My Utmost for His Highest,” and to read a Psalms and one chapter in the Proverbs before I begin to write.  This morning added much to my thoughts on Matthew 27; from Chambers on page 241 dated November 20^th, he is taking his thoughts from Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have . . . the forgiveness of sin.”

“Beware of the pleasant view of the Fatherhood of God – God is so kind and loving that of course He will forgive us.  That sentiment has no place whatever in the New Testament.  The only ground on which God can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the Cross of Christ; to put forgiveness on any other ground is unconscious blasphemy.  The only ground on which God can forgive sin and reinstate us in His favor is through the Cross of Christ, and in no other way.  Forgiveness, which is so easy for us to accept, cost the agony of Calvary.  It is possible to take the forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our sanctification with the simplicity of faith, and to forget at what enormous cost to God it was all made ours.

Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace; it cost God the Cross of Jesus Christ before He could forgive sin and remain a holy God.  Never accept a view of the Fatherhood of God if it blots our the Atonement.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice