"My brothers" & "Your Father"

After His resurrection, Jesus talked to Mary of Magdala in the garden of the tomb. She did not recognize Him—until He called her by name. Then she turned, fell at his feet, and cried out His title as Teacher in Aramaic, the common language of the region. “Rabboni!” she said. (Jn. 20:16b NIV)

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (v. 17)

In that intimate moment, Jesus called the disciples brothers, something He had not done before. Then, after referring to God as His Father, he added, and your Father . . .

With those few words, Jesus revealed that His death on Calvary had destroyed divisions. A division between God and His people had changed and a division between Jesus and the disciples had changed—both washed away by the Blood He shed on the cross.

Originally published April 8, 1983.

To Reconcile All Things

The day of Jesus’ crucifixion has been called Black Friday. Yes, God’s Son was executed that day. His arrest and trial was a sham. To pull it off, accusers brought Him before four authorities in six hours. Although the accusers could not agree on charges, and although none of the authorities thought Jesus was guilty, pre-conceived plans for evil prevailed.

The day of Jesus’ crucifixion has also been called Good Friday. For Jesus’ death is the most important event in history. On that day He accomplished what no other person could ever accomplish. He paid the penalty for Sin—yours and mine. His sinless nature suffered so our sinful nature would be set free.

Paul said, For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself . . . through the blood of His cross. (Col 1:19,20b NKJV)

His Father's Plan

Imagine riding triumphantly into Jerusalem knowing that crucifixion was in your immediate future. Jesus understood prophecy, and He knew what what was going to happen to Him. He had learned Scriptures as a child and knew many passages that foretold His future. Perhaps Psalm 22 was vivid in His mind: I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. . . . (Ps. 22:14 NKJV)

Nevertheless, Jesus steadfastly rode the donkey forward to meet His destiny. What did He think as He looked out over the large crowd? He could have avoided both the time of praise as He entered the city and the time of confrontation with the Pharisees that would follow.

If He had, He would have avoided His Father’s plan. So He went forward, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and fulfilling what He had said of Himself earlier: I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down. . . . (Jn. 10:17b,18a NKJV)

Originally published March 21, 1986
Picture: Landscape, Las Vegas, NV, 2008. Photo by Solveig.

Intent on Evil

The priests and Pharisees of Jesus’ time were intent on evil. Their goal was ending the ministry of Jesus. They didn’t care that He was, in fact, the Messiah. Or that He preached God’s Word and wrought marvelous changes in people’s hearts. They didn't care that He healed the sick. Jesus cut into their territory, and they wanted Him out. And God didn’t stop them.

When the Pharisees sent officers to arrest Jesus, the officers returned without Him saying, No man ever spoke like this Man. (Jn. 7:46 NKJV) The Pharisees weren’t interested. They held Jesus and the people who followed Him in contempt. Are you also deceived? they asked the officers. (Jn. 7:47-49) When Nicodemus, one of their own who presumably did know the law, tried to defend Jesus, he was rebuked.(Jn. 7:50,51)

We wouldn’t have let it happen, but God let evil follow its course. Jesus was crucified on Calvary and a sorrowful Nicodemus helped Joseph of Arimathea bury the body. (Jn. 19:38,39) The Pharisees—still committed to protecting their interests—paid guards to watch the tomb.

Originally published March 13, 1992.

Outside the Camp

Lent is that time of year when much of Christendom focuses their attention on the cross of Jesus.

Although the cross is a familiar, loved symbol today, crucifixions were hardly lovely. We know from historical records that especially evil leaders arranged for public crucifixions. For the most part, however, they were conducted in secluded places away from the mainstreams of daily activity because they were so gruesome, abhorrent.

So just as the Old Testament scapegoat was taken outside the camp during the Exodus of the Israelites—bearing their collective and personal sin into the Wilderness (Lev. 16)—Jesus died outside the camp. We read, Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. (Heb. 13:12 NIV)

The writer of Hebrews continues by offering an invitation, Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. (Heb. 13:13)

Originally published February 26, 1982.
Picture: Flower in Hawaii, 2004. Photo by Patty.