In 1967 Charles Murray was training for the summer Olympics as a high diver. One night his best friend, Mike, asked if he had ever recognized his need for a relationship with God through Christ. He responded with a resounding "no!" Because of his training he had special night privileges at the university pool so that night Charles decided to practice a few dives in
order to forget Mike’s challenge. All alone in the darkness, Charles climbed the 30 foot platform and inched his heals out over the edge to practice his first back dive. As he stood on the platform with his arms spread for balance he saw his shadow on the wall as the moonlight shined through the glass ceiling casting a silhouette of a cross! At that moment God softened his heart and flooded his mind with His truth convicting him of sin and convincing him of his need to become a new man. He could no longer bear the burden of separation from Christ Who loved him. He knelt down pleading for forgiveness and received God’s grace. Suddenly, the lights in the pool area flashed on as the security guard entered to check on the commotion. Charles looked down from his platform in horror to see an empty pool which had been drained for cleaning. His RESPONSE to the cross saved his life giving him purpose, and peace instead. (True story MW Riggs) Perhaps not as dramatic, but in what ways have you seen other men respond to Christ at the cross? What will be your response to the Cross during Easter season?
Together, let’s see how the following responses of different men to the death and resurrection of Christ can chisel your heart to draw closer to Jesus.
PILATE (John 19:1-21) I am KING of my own life.
The words “king, kingdom, crown, robe, authority” are used 22 times during Pilate’s short conversation with Jesus the morning before he sent Him to the Cross for our sin and set free instead the convicted murderer, Barabbas. Like us, Pilate was blind- ed to the grace and forgiveness that Christ offered by choosing instead to run and control his own life as ‘king’. Rather than surrender to Christ’s truth and authority as the true King of kings, Pilot decided to build his own kingdom so he could call the shots. How does God use His authority as King to chisel and make you more like Jesus? How did Jesus model a life surrendered to the authority of His Father (John 8:28-29; Phil 2:5-10)? In what ways have you responded as ‘king’ by rejecting the authority and Lordship of Christ over various areas of your life? What area(s) of your life need to come under His authority? How does surrender to God’s authority actually free us and living for self actually enslaves (John 8:31-36)?
SOLDIERS (John 19:23-24) PLAYING GAMES at the foot of the Cross.
The sad irony was that the soldiers never realized that the only One who could meet their deepest needs (peace, purpose, hope, grace, forgiveness) was a mere 3 feet above their heads and their hearts were a 1000 miles away. They were far more preoccupied with getting ahead in life instead of seeing Christ as the one thing who could truly complete their lives. They trusted in luck, making Jesus a superstitious, good luck charm rather than honoring Him as the Savior He is. (Phil 4:19; I Pt 5:7; Mk 15:39; Matt 27:54). Are you betting (playing games) that you can do a better job running your life than Christ? Has Christ become a superstitious safety net in times of crisis or a religious add-on to ensure smooth sailing rather than your true foundation?
RELIGIOUS LEADERS (19:31-34) BUSINESS as usual.
The religious folks totally missed the point of the Cross (Passover) where God extended His grace to forgive their sin by crushing Jesus in their place (Isaiah 53:5, 10). They were so inconvenienced by the cross and so intent on checking their religious boxes of celebrating Passover they wanted to break His legs to speed things up so that Jesus could not breathe. Rather than deeply considering what was really taking place on their behalf by their Creator, they wanted to rush it and ‘play church’ instead. After all, going through the motions is so much easier and less costly than humbly putting their heart into a real relationship with the Father. They wanted God’s blessings, but they didn’t really want Him. They desired His presents rather than His presence. They were content to keep the Law rather than learning to love and enjoy the Law-Giver Who created them. Are you more committed to the rules of religion or enjoying a relationship with the living God? Have you missed the whole point of Easter because you want to get back to the business of life (vacations, yard work, entertainment, etc)?
JOSEPH & NICODEMUS (19:38-40) From fearful SPECTATORS to fearless PARTICIPANTS.
Two years earlier ol’ Nic the Pharisee fearfully came to Jesus one night so that his buddies in the temple would not discover his hunger to seek truth from Jesus about eternal life (John 3:1-10). There was a hole in his soul. Something or Someone was missing in his life. But at the time the cost for him to follow Christ was just too high. As a high ranking religious leader he might be ostracized, lose his status in the community or kicked out of the temple ‘club’. But after seeing Jesus die on the cross in his place, he now finally understood what had taken place and his heart changed. Now, along with Joseph of Arimathea, he longed to be fully identified with Christ (Mk 15:43; Phil 1:23) no matter the cost. After two years he finally left the sidelines and got in the game growing from a fickle fan to a faithful follower. Which are you? Using football as an illustration, how would you describe your current spiritual life?