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,

Greg Hinnant Greg Hinnant Ministries

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