The Death of the King
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 23 Mar 2008 in From Steve's Study ::
When you read biographies of modern day heroes, there is understandably a focus on their life achievements and their influence on the world. Most would spend only a short portion on the actual death of the person – even those who died a violent death. By contrast, the biographies of Jesus’ life spend approximately one third of their time outlining the events surrounding his death.
Why such a focus on Christ’s execution? After all, isn’t death a tragedy? Even more so when the one killed is demonstrably innocent!
The trial scenes in the gospels are almost farcical. Jesus has to endure as many as six interrogations, none of which are able to come to a satisfactory conclusion because the evidence presented is so contradictory. Everyone seems to want Jesus out of the way, but they seem almost incapable of orchestrating his demise. Throughout this whole process, though many witnesses are brought out to speak against him, no one stands up to defend him – Jesus will not even defend himself. In fact, when the process seems to be stalling, Jesus opens his mouth to speed it along (eg Mt 26:63).
As one reads the trial “transcripts” in the gospels, it is clear that although the authorities are banding together to have him killed, it is very much Jesus who is in control. It is as though this is what he intended all along!
This, of course, is in fact the case. Jesus on numerous occassions told his disciples that he was going to Jerusalem in order to be put to death by the authorities. He told them that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45). Jesus’ death was a necessary part of God’s plan to save us from the consequences of our sin. To quote the prophet Isaiah, “the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Is 53:5)
Why do the gospels spend so much time on the death of Jesus? It is because this is where our faith and hope finds its foundation. Our eternity with God rides on the death of the Christ. Without it, we are lost. There is no more important event in the whole of history than the death of the king who gives us life.
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