Jesus Suffered for Us (Number 5)

He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, “I am the Son of God.” In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. Matthew 27:43-44

They made fun of his trust in God his Father. This would really hurt. The robbers beside him joined in with insults. Really, didn’t they have any better manners. At the very end one of them asked to be in heaven with Jesus and he accepted his request.

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

He is feeling the horrible pain which he had never felt before, of his Father, God, forsaking him. This is the worst, like your parents not being on your side when you haven’t done anything wrong. It was false accusations while he was dying a slow painful death.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:2-7

NOW THE TRUTH HAS BEEN TOLD!

“When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. Matthew 28:12-15

Here are the lies again rebutting his rising again from the grave and leaving the tomb. The Jews still believe this story unless they have become Christians. So many have been deprived of knowing the great love our Lord Jesus demonstrated when he died and rose again for us. There are many witnesses who have told the truth as they saw our risen Jesus Christ that first Easter Sunday. Isn’t it interesting that people take money to lie? This was hard for our risen Jesus.  

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Prayer: Oh, Lord, God Almighty, thank you for that first Easter when Jesus walked out of the grave and walked with his friends again. This Easter, help us tell of your Son and his love for us. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck