The Two Sides of the Crucifixion
Life’s traumas can break us and make us feel like there’s no return. When we review the Crucifixion of Christ, we see two sides of the story. Despite the scars, the resurrected body shows hope for redemption for all.
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1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 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. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 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.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
A coworker was telling me about the process of readying their house to sell. There was a spot near the chimney that leaked when it rained. It wasn't every time it rained, but only when it poured. Since it was just a few times a year, and despite the apparent damage, they ignored it. "We'll get to that one day."
Before they listed their house, they had the spot repaired. For all the years they lived in the home they dismissed the issue, but readily prepared it for the next owner.
In many ways, we spend our lives running from our brokenness rather than embracing it. Acknowledging our inadequacies or hurts is a difficult process. No one wants to recognize their faults, even if we know our life will be better. But God already knows our hearts. He knows the very worst we're capable of and the wretched brokenness that we're burdening ourselves with every day to present ourselves as capable.
The Gospel is a live reality check. God says, "I already know who you are, but I want you to know who I am."
A Spirit that Recovers
Ms. Ida Keeling, athlete, author and inspiration
A few years ago, I saw a wonderful piece on television about an adorable senior adult saint named Ms. Ida Keeling. She was a 102-year-old world record-holding runner in the 60 and 100-yard dash in the 100 to 104-year-old division. I imagine that competition was minimal but impressive nonetheless!
As I watched, I was so inspired by Ms. Ida's spirit. She gave witness to her lifelong faith in Jesus Christ, who helped her through some of the greatest traumas imaginable. The Great Depression, the Civil Rights movement, and the brutal murder of her two dear sons, for whom justice was never found. It's so hard for us to grapple with things in our lives that don't make sense or that we don't have answers for, and that's exactly the way Ms. Keeling felt. There was nothing left.
She had so many reasons to groan as she experienced a broken world. But encouraged by her daughter, Ms. Ida put on her first pair of running shoes at 67 years of age and began to chase the paralyzing sorrow from her heart. For almost 40 years, she gave a clearer picture of what it means to overcome obstacles.
In her 2018 memoir, she said, "Every night I think Jesus for my many blessings, for His guidance and protection. He tells me, ‘You just keep on because I'm not done with you yet.’" Ms. Keeling passed away on August 28, 2021, at 106-years old.
A Life Reversal
How can God transform our most profound losses into some of our greatest joys? Whatever we go through, God has a message for us at the empty tomb. Imagine the fear of Jesus' family, friends, and disciples.
Your life might look like it's headed in the worst direction, and you could be struggling in the worst way. But God can reverse your situation, just like He did with Ms. Ida and others. There are so many things in our lives that we cannot fix, but when God intervenes, our life will look so different.
Change is scary. Sometimes it's easier to sit in our grief and despair. But, much like those who arrived to find Christ's empty tomb, to those who are struggling, the angel reminds us, "Do not be afraid." Remember, it's because Christ was crucified that He was able to rise again.
Two Sides of the Crucifixion
Jesus on the Cross
The cross is where God shows His loving power. Take a moment to imagine it. The brutality. The heaviness. The pain and anguish. The physical, emotional, and spiritual toil of the cross. Jesus took it on for humanity's sake, but more specifically, for you. That sacrifice gives us a glimpse of how Christ absorbs the worst things we can do.
One of my favorite parables is the story of the prodigal son. It's also been affectionately called "The Parable of the Wonderful Father." In that story, we see how big that father's heart was. After all, he'd been through with his son; he still had an open heart towards him.
Our story is no different. No matter what we've done or how long we've run from God, through Jesus Christ, our father embraces us as His beloved daughters and sons. We're all allowed to come home.
If you're struggling with what you've done, the Gospel wants you to realize that Jesus absorbed your guilt, shame, feelings of unworthiness, and waywardness on the cross. He took it all upon Himself so that we would not have to carry such a burden. So you don't need to hide from God because He already knows your heart.
Would you like to be a better person? Not just regarding self-improvement, but do you want to feel alive again? Love is what propelled Christ from the grave, and we're all chasing that same spirit. As we contemplate the crucifixion, we can begin to realize that God not only dealt with our sin, but He understands our pain and shares in it. God experiences our suffering as though it was His own.
Many of you have suffered the loss of a son, daughter, or someone special to you. You could have someone in your life like the prodigal son. Or it could be you that relates to the prodigal son. God weeps with you, and He waits with you.
In coming to the cross, Jesus set aside His immunity to pain and entered into flesh, blood, tears, and death. It wasn't just to come into your sins but to also identify and share in our sufferings, sorrow and pain. No matter the heartache in your life, you are not alone in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Who Was Risen
Jesus in the tomb showed defeat. The empty tomb showed death-defeating power. The living Christ offers the ability to save anyone.
To be a Christian is to believe, confess, and live like Jesus is alive. There's a lot of talk about the power of God today. Much of it creates the impression that life is always successful and prosperous whenever God's power is at work. That kind of talk makes it sound like believers will always be happy and comfortable.
But what does this mentality mean to those who suffer in circumstances beyond their control? What about those threatened by a terminal illness? Or what about those who tragically lost loved ones too early? Let's not forget those abused or victims from any number of outside forces. The list of suffering could go on for days.
We must understand, brothers and sisters, that suffering and evil are real, love often gets crucified, and people get hurt. It's a non-negotiable reality in the world that we share. The Gospel never says that the resurrection removes all suffering. But it does say that the strong love of God always has the final word. It relentlessly seeks to bring light, life, and love where there seems to be only darkness, death, and disappointment.
Folks, thanks be to God for the scars He bore for us because they tell us that our scars have meaning. Our scars, internal and external, are precious in the sight of God. When we see Him, Christ will have the crucifixion scars despite His resurrected body. Much like Christ, we can host the scars of our past but still reside in a resurrected body. Therefore, our hearts are not captive to this world and the struggles it presents.
These scars are precious tellings of His love and our freedom. His love gives new meaning to our scars. We are overcomers through the power of our savior. As you deal with the burdens of sin and the crushing reality that life can bring, remember Jesus crucified and risen. This reminder is the only truth that offers us real hope for the present and the future.
TL;DR
In many ways, we spend our lives running from our brokenness rather than embracing it. Acknowledging our inadequacies or hurts is a difficult process.
There are so many things in our lives that we cannot fix, but when God intervenes, our life will look so different.
Two sides of the crucifixion
Jesus on the cross
If you're struggling with what you've done, the Gospel wants you to realize that Jesus absorbed your guilt, shame, feelings of unworthiness, and waywardness on the cross.
Love is what propelled Christ from the grave, and we're all chasing that same spirit.
Jesus Who Was Risen
The Gospel never says that the resurrection removes all suffering. But it does say that the strong love of God always has the final word.
Much like Christ, we can host the scars of our past but still reside in a resurrected body.
Related Reading
Changing For the Better by Bro. Chris Carter
The Problem of Evil by William Merriman
Have You Prayed About It? by Mike Weaver
About Christ Church Memphis
Christ Church Memphis is church in East Memphis, Tennessee. For more than 65 years, Christ Church has served the Memphis community. Every weekend, there are multiple worship opportunities including traditional, contemporary and blended services
