Devotionals
For God So Loved . . .
“The Passion of the Christ” by Mel Gibson and Icon Productions is a movie that’s impacted the world in ways that probably no one could have imagined except those who pioneered it. After seeing an interview with Mel Gibson, he stated that he wanted to take people to the very edge where they couldn’t take any more and then push them just a bit further to show them the penalty for our sin. Well, I was one of those people and I can take in quite a bit.
It was absolutely horrifying to watch, yet I’m sure more horrifying to see in real life and I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like to endure or to be physically close to Jesus as His mother and His disciples were. I almost forgot the reality of it all because it was so horribly brutal the way Romans tortured and executed prisoners. And yet, Jesus endured it for us. Why didn’t He just let Himself be hanged or stoned. That would have been far quicker and less painful. But, God’s plan was for total redemption and that redemption would cost dearly.
This torture the God-man endured was placed on an innocent man, the Lamb of God, spotless to pay for the sins of the world so that we may share in His life. His precious blood that was shed and spilt in volumes covered our sin so that we might inherit eternal life. To be honest, I always hated those old hymns which sang about the blood. It made me think we were archaic and signing about animal sacrificing. But after watching the penalty paid in living color, I now understand what that blood means and I’ll gladly sing about that blood which was shed for me.
He took my place (1 John 2:20 and Rom 5:8). He who was without sin and innocent (1 John 2:1 and Luke 23:47), yet He took your place too. None of us deserved it. None of us are innocent. We are all guilty and without excuse according to Paul in Romans. We stand condemned without the blood of Jesus to cover us. Ironically, we forget how corrupt we really are. We go to church, don’t steal, don’t cheat much on our taxes, etc., and we think we’re alright, but you know? The Bible says our best is the worst. Our righteousness is as filthy rags and we all fall short (Rom 3:23).
Simon of Cyrene, as depicted in the Gospels (Matt 27:32, Mark 15:21 and Luke 23:26) was cast in a scene which, among countless, stuck in my mind and I’ve not been able to stop thinking over it. He was minding his own business and was probably a good Jew in the eyes of most other Jews. The Roman guards enlisted his help to help carry Jesus’ cross as Jesus was having trouble from all the beatings and scourges. Weak with blood loss, emotional distress and exhaustion, He needed the help.
At first Simon refused, but the Roman soldiers had a way of enticing people to do as they say. Alright, they forced him to. It was his statement that started the scene on which I want to focus. He says he’ll do it, but that they should remember that he’s the innocent one, “not like this guilty man,” as he points down at Jesus. At that very same moment, Jesus looks up at him and their eyes meet. Jesus has only one eye to look upon Simon. One is swollen shut from the beatings. The other is almost covered in blood as is the rest of His body. Yet, in the midst of His pain and suffering and the justifiable outrage Jesus could have justifiably expressed, a look of deep compassion was expressed.
Jesus had mercy and His eyes met Simon’s eyes and immediately, even though it wasn’t audible, it was obvious that Simon realized he was the guilty man and that Jesus was truly innocent. Ironically, here’s a man who is the only one who actually stands up for Jesus during His final journey to the cross and actually carries His cross; a command given to each of the disciples, although figuratively at the time.
What would I have done? Honestly, I’m afraid I would have been too embarrassed to be associated with a rebel and a condemned man, but I hope not. I don’t know what ever became of Simon. I can hope that he was a changed man after an encounter with the Lord. It was no accident He was interrupted from his day to carry that cross. As you’ve read this, I encourage you to think of spots in the movie which touched your heart, even the dark places. Write of them. I’m curious about your thoughts.
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