The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 27:37-50, “And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, ‘THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’
38 At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.
39 And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads
40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying,
42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.
43 “HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'”
44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.
45 Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour.
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
47 And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.
49 But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.”
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

Executions are never pretty. Unless you have a strong stomach and never experience mental reoccurances, I strongly advise you to never, ever view one. History is replete with hangings and fireing squads, but crucifixions are lingering deaths. What’s more, they are total public expostures, and those who are subject to such ignominious deaths die like none others.

Jesus’ crucifixion was for the sins of the world. He had no sin of His own! At the same time, all who were made subject to this form of humiliating death were further humiliated in that they were stripped totally naked before the eyes of a heartless, mocking crowd.

It was the responsibility of the Roman guards to “protect” Him, as He lingeringly died on that cross. The clothing that had once covered His body was now divided among the guards. Yet, according to Old Testament Scripture, His seamless, one-piece garment –our LORD’s only true possession– escaped division (Psa. 22:18).

Those who suffered death by crucifixion, simply lingured until they died. We suffer when a parent or child of ours is confined in hospital with a life-threatening disease. No one is mocking. No body is nakedly exposed to the gaze of those who pass by the door room. Yet, we are like Jesus’ family in that there is nothing we can do. Just wait.

This, and more than I am capable of describing, is what Jesus experienced as He suffered and died for us. He possessed no sin! He died for our sin! And the shame that we bare that is equal to our sin is that we fail to repent and humbly ask His forgiveness. You can do that right now! Just bow your head and pray. Ask Him to forgive you for all you have ever thought and done –things that were heinous, and things that were not. You’ll be amazed at what He will do for your life! God bless you, as you turn your life over to Him! I am praying for you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need
until He becomes all that we have.”
– Corrie ten Boom