(The New Testament )
Matthew 27:45-46
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[b]
(Tanakh)
Old Testament
Isaiah 53:4-6
4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
This chapter, written around 700 years before Christ, includes vivid imagery of suffering and sacrifice that aligns with the events of the crucifixion
Romans soldiers are not just brutal but they are cruel
They brutally beat him, Jesus was scourged by the Romans (John 19:1). Even the criminal on the cross received less lashes than Jesus. They hated the Messiah. They did not just deformed his back, reap his beard in their anger but He also had a Blunt pericardial injury. Peter was terrified and his heart was breaking for Jesus.
He bled and he received no treatment because his wound were opened in the hot heat. They put a crown of thorn in his head, with blood dripping on his face, they made Him carry his heavy wooded structure they called the cross. They rip his clothes, humiliated and mocked Him. They nailed his flesh, even through his scream they laughed. And when he was thirsty, they gave Him vinegar, which was to set his long his lungs on fire and make him suffer in more agony, God was with Him until the end.
Jesus shouted in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?
The significance of the cross
The wounds on Christ's hands symbolize profound love. Many are unaware of the true significance of being separated from God and facing consequences for our transgressions. Hell is a serious punishment, a place of eternal torments that was never meant for man. Christ suffers for us so we may be saved. And we suffer for others in obedience to Christ so they can receive God's grace. You can't ask for grace and pray for justice.
It's like a woman who is waiting for her husband to amend from his lustful eyes because she doesn't want him to throw away the happiness that comes with having a family. Or a parent who waits patiently on their rebellious son or daughter to change for if they react without grace, it could lead to an even more challenging circumstance for the child.
Matthew 7:2
For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.
Bruise of love
When you are in Christ, grace is never too much. It is easy to think why is Christ being gracious to that person? Just know that those who remain in Christ continue to bear fruit without abusing His grace. Those who do come up with new bad habits as they go.
Repent, salvation is today.
Let Christ in your heart today.
The Kingdom of Heaven is near.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."