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January 5, 2009
They Watched Him—and Watch Us
My Dear Friend,
It was just another workday for
the Roman execution squad. Their bloody
deeds were habitual by now. Shred the
victim’s back with a whip, stand by as
he carries a charge (sign naming legal
offenses) around his neck and a
crossbeam on his shoulders to the
execution site, offer him a painkilling
drink, strip his clothes, tie and nail
his wrists and feet to the crucifix,
raise and drop it into place, affix the
charge over his head, divide his
personal effects, and, if he’s a high
profile victim, watch him suffer and
die.
So, “sitting down they watched
him there” (Matt. 27:36). The
soldiers’ deathwatch was an odd mixture
of duty and pleasure. While most victims
were abandoned to suffer for days
whatever elements, observers, animals,
and birds came their way, Jesus was
carefully watched. Why? Perhaps His
family would try to save Him. Maybe His
disciples would attempt a rescue or the
zealous nationalists who wanted Him to
be king (Jn. 6:15). Or He may work a
wondrous sign. A renowned miracle
worker, Jesus had only days earlier
raised a dead man who had been
entombed four days! What if, as
taunted, He supernaturally stepped down
from His crucifix!?
So the guards dutifully watched
Him.
Some may have done so with
curiosity or even pleasure. Romans were
very fond of violent sports, such as
gladiatorial games, chariot racing, or
boxing. Crucifixion was just another
blood-spilling sport.
Thus, while Jesus suffered, they
spectated.
His callous crucifiers weren’t
the only ones to witness His expiration.
From His immediate family, Mary was
present. John, His student and friend,
was there too. Unnumbered, unnamed
bystanders, “they that passed by,” gazed
and gabbed. Religious leaders observed
and taunted. Two criminals, the thieves
on either side of Jesus, looked and
lambasted Him. Such were His earthly
“cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1).
While some remained unmoved by
Jesus’ faithful endurance to the end,
others were convicted and converted. The
chief executioner, a seasoned Centurion,
confessed, “Truly this man was the Son
of God” (Mk. 15:39). One of the two
thieves changed his mind and prayed,
“Lord, remember me when thou comest into
thy kingdom” (Lk. 23:42). As Mary beheld
the strangely darkened sky she saw the
light and later joined Jesus’ disciples
in the upper room (Acts 1:14). And Simon
of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross and
witnessed these events, along with his
sons, Alexander and Rufus, apparently
laid hold of eternal life because Jesus
held fast His faith and obedience while
slowly losing His grip on life (Mk.
15:21). Will we, by grace, be as
faithful and fruitful on our crosses?
Whenever the Lord
asks us to suffer injustices, make
sacrifices, or accept stressful duties,
vocations, ministries, missions, or
other callings that cross our natural
desire, and we obey Him, we reenact His
crucifixion by willingly suffering to
do God’s will. And just as Jesus was
watched, we too will have our own “cloud
of witnesses.” Our persecutors will look
on, mocking. Uncommitted, lukewarm
Christians will gaze indifferently at
our adversities, as Joseph’s brothers
did his (Gen. 37:23-25). Curious friends
will observe our losses and wounds.
Unconverted family members will watch
and wonder. Neighbors, who pass by us
daily, will stare and gossip. Only one
question will remain relevant then.
Will we maintain our close
fellowship with God and faithfully
fulfill our work or ministry to the end?
If so, our witness on our cross, like
our Lord’s, will change watchers into
worshipers of God. If not, they will
walk away from our Golgotha unconvinced
and unconverted. Don’t let that happen.
Instead follow Jesus’
example. Pray for more grace, as He did
in Gethsemane, and then practice His
humble faith and obedience until He
sends some Nicodemus or Joseph of
Arimathaea to remove you from your
cross. Truly, “Everyone who endures to
the end will be saved” (Matt. 10:22,
NLT)—and cause many watchers to be saved
also!
Praying and enduring
to the end,
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Greg Hinnant
Greg
Hinnant Ministries |
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