In the Cross of Christ there is a disorder that is rectified, a stain that is removed, a disease that is cured, a penalty that is paid, a something wrong that is made right by Jesus’ sacrifice of himself. Jesus anticipates that horrible reality in the Garden of Gethsemane and acknowledges that the “cup” of suffering must be drained by someone–either us or him. However we feel about him and however he feels about us, the cup is still there. And he chooses to drink it on our behalf.
(read the rest of John Stackhouse's thoughts here)
WHY ON PASSOVER?
Jesus’ act at the Last Supper declares that his death is atoning, that his blood is like the Passover blood, that his death will save his followers from their sins, and that his death will create the new covenant community around him.
(read the rest of Scot McKnight's thoughts here)
LUKE 23:44-47
44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."
(read the whole account here)
The Cross guides the life of the Christian and Christian life is not Christian if it is not shaped by the Cross.
(Scot McKinght)
The real cross is the one you have not chosen, the one that doesn’t fit neatly on your shoulder. That is a very authentic cross and so very difficult to accept.
(Basil Hume)
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