After His resurrection, Jesus walked unbeknownst with two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus. As they lamented His crucifixion and discussed the recently vacated tomb, Jesus asked them, “Was it not necessary and essentially fitting that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)?” (Luke 24:26, Amplified Bible)
I have been reading about the trial, sufferings, and crucifixion of Jesus, and to be transparent, I am so uncomfortable reading it. It hurts my heart to think of my Jesus–my Beloved, my Delight, my Savior–ridiculed, spit on, beaten, bruised, gasping for air, and dying. It is hard to look at the cruelty of man facing off with the love of God. Sometimes, when I reach this part of the Gospels, I hurry through the chapter to get to the empty tomb part.
But today, it seems like I can hear the Lord asking me that question, “Was it not necessary?” You see, I like resurrection morning, but without Calvary’s suffering I will misunderstand an empty tomb. I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection, but I have to be willing to share in the fellowship of His sufferings and be conformed to His death to get there (Phil 3:10)
If I don’t see Jesus with spit on His face, I won’t be willing to let an unbelieving society “spit” in mine with their ridicule and disdain. If I don’t see Him being like a lamb silent in front of false accusation, I will feel the need to shout in my own defense and vindication. If I don’t see Him pick up His cross, I might not pick up mine. If I don’t watch Him gasping for air but praying for His executioners, I won’t pray for those who are cruel to me. If I don’t watch Him die for me, I won’t be willing to die for Him–either the death of my own self-will or in kneeling on a beach in front of a man with a sword should circumstances dictate it.
IT IS NECESSARY! It was absolutely necessary for Jesus to suffer for my salvation to be effective. It is absolutely necessary for me to eat the bread of Calvary on a regular basis. Gladly will I look at the Man of Sorrows in order to walk on the road with the Resurrected Christ!
Pray with me?
Lord, we thank You for the sufferings that You walked through for our sakes. We praise You for loving us enough to die for us. We choose to eat the bread of Calvary and to be identified with Your cross.
