JESUS: THE CRUCIFIED TRUTH
By Pastor Paulus Budiono
Lemah Putro, Sunday, November 15, 2020
Shalom,
Indeed, the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ are too great for all of us; no one or nothing can be equal to it. When we read or listen to the Word of God, we are brought into the whole truth by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. However, it must be admitted that we often fail to practice His commandments. Hence, we fall and rise to face the trials and temptation hitting us.
If His love, grace and shed blood are too great for sinful men, what reward will He receive? He who is the truth was crucified. Surely no one wants to experience the punishment of the crucifixion because it is so frightening, terrible and heartbreaking.
When we read any articles such as novels, short stories, serials, or watch any films, the ending must be closed either with happiness which is well-known as a happy ending or a sad ending, so does with human life in the end. The problem is that Christians often read and hear over and over the sad story of Jesus on the cross and then died for three days and rose again; over time it becomes historical knowledge that goes on without any meaning.
How do people individually or generally react to the death of Jesus?
After Jesus died and was buried, two of His disciples went to a village called Emmaus, which was located around seven miles from Jerusalem. They were chatting and exchanging ideas when Jesus approached them and walked with them. They looked so sad and did not know that the man walking with them was Jesus. Jesus asked what they were talking about. They thought Jesus was a stranger who did not know what had happened in the past few days. They told of Jesus who was expected to come to free the Israelites but died with the penalty of being crucified (Luke 24: 13-21). They would have remained deep in sorrow if Jesus had not opened their eyes to recognize who He really was (v. 31).
On the other hand, Paul said, "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Cor. 2: 2). Saul, the Jew, hated Jesus' followers very much and tried to arrest and imprison them (Acts 9: 1-2) for strictly obeying the Law (Phil. 3: 6) which numbered the 613 commandments. He did so successfully as a Pharisee. Nevertheless, all changed after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus when he heard a voice, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." (Acts 9:5). Then, he was converted and became better known by the name Paul. He became a militant disciple of Jesus, persevered in preaching the gospel of Christ (Rom. 15:19) and decided to focus on Jesus Christ crucified.
Introspection: How do we respond to Jesus, the crucified truth?
Why didn’t Paul want to know anything but Jesus Christ who was crucified? Logically, (the human) Jesus who was nailed to the cross was utterly helpless, ridiculed by being silent and even was not able to get off the cross Himself. However, Paul still raised the topic of Jesus being crucified.
Firstly, let’s learn how Jesus went through the process of His death. The Jews shouted “Away with Him! Crucify Him!” and Jesus bore His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha (John 19: 15-17). Before the end of his life, Jesus was thirsty and drank sour wine (V. 28-30). When they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. (vv. 33-34).
Who is this Jesus? In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1: 1) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (v. 14). For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (v. 17). No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (v. 18).
Since the beginning of the writing of the Gospel of John, He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him (John 1:10). He came to His own but they did not receive Him (v. 11). From the very beginning, it appeared that Jesus, the truth, came with many blessings but was rejected one by one by the Jews. At first, the graph of rejection of Him was not very real (it is written in the early chapters) but the graph of displeasure that was stored in the heart continued to increase until the words "crucify Him" were uttered. The news of the death of Jesus on the cross must be written and reported (not to be skipped) so that we know Jesus ultimately. Let us not read a few verses in one gospel then move on to verses in another gospel; get used to reading the entire chapter even though all of four Gospels focus on Jesus.
Why was Jesus, the truth, crucified? Would not we rather hear Peter preventing His Master from suffering (Matt. 16: 21-22)? However, Jesus did not even like being praised or supported for not being crucified. Honestly, do not spiritual leaders prefer to have the support of many people when facing challenges?
What mistake did Jesus make that the cross as the severest punishment was imposed on Him while the Romans themselves were never sentenced to the cross? There are two truths that made the Jews rejected and crucified Jesus, namely: regard Himself as the Son of God (John 19: 7-8) and the King (vv. 12-15).
The Jews could accept the good and social deeds that Jesus did, but they rejected the real truth when Jesus revealed His identity as the Son of God and King. Pilate, the governor who had the authority and power to release or crucify Jesus, was powerless under the pressure of the Jews. They threatened that if he released Jesus, he was not a friend of the emperor; therefore, he followed their wishes and handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. The absolute truth had been denied, even Pilate himself asked Jesus what truth was.
It’s very humane to label a person an upright man when they do good; ironically, Jesus who declared the absolute truth was rejected and crucified. During the 3.5 years of His ministry, Jesus always did good deeds in every place, but when He conveyed the truth He was crucified. Indeed, as a man, Jesus was helpless when he was tortured to death on the cross, but His death proved that His truth is absolute → He rose because He is the Word and God Himself (John 1: 1) who could not die (Acts 2: 23-24).
Truly God, the Creator, never disappoints us concerning truth; therefore, we should not expect anything from the world full of injustice. The problem is, we often forget His death, take it for granted, and even consider it meaningless, whereas in fact the truth that thrives on the process of death strengthens and confirms itself.
What was the effect of accepting Jesus, the absolute truth?
- Saul was successful in following the rules of the Torah religiously. He knew that Jesus was crucified and then died and was buried. Saul also heard people say Jesus rose from the dead, but he still hated Him. Saul continued to arrest, persecute and imprison the followers of Jesus he hated. Nevertheless, the brief words of Jesus, "why are you persecuting me?" when he met Him made him saved. Since then he decided not to want to know anything except Jesus Christ, who was crucified. Jesus, the crucified truth changed his life.
Introspection: Do we still doubt that Jesus is the truth as well as the Son of God? Do we think of Him as a great religious figure and a great prophet? Did you know that Jesus was crucified because people rejected the truth? Moreover, Satan is the father of lies and also a murderer of men because, in him, there is no truth (John 8:44)
- To the Samaritan woman, Jesus told her to worship the Father not on Mount Samaria or in Jerusalem but to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23). We know the Jews did not associate with the Samaritans because tribalism was still intense at the time. Jesus came with the truth, making the failed married life of the Samaritan woman restored.
How are the church synods related to one another? Do they hold grudges and compete against each other? Clearly, the more synods there are, the more splits there will be. God desires true worship and a harmonious atmosphere in our lives and marriage.
- Jesus said, "If you abide in My word ... you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8: 31-32). In other words, when we hear His word and keep it in our heart, we will know the truth; and when we do not keep it merely as a theory, but we put it in work instead, it will surely make us free.
- Jesus also said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14: 6) Indeed, many ways are leading to Rome, but the only way to Heaven is Jesus. Furthermore, no one except Jesus dares to claim to be able to make people enter Heaven because He is the one who owns the Kingdom. Unfortunately, many people do not know this truth, so He was crucified.
- Jesus prayed for His 11 disciples (Judas Iscariot had left them) as well as for believers who believe the preaching of His disciples (John 17:20) which is now written in Bible form. The Bible canonized by the church fathers is the Word of God which has the power of sanctification.
We should believe that the Bible which has been tested for thousands of years is the truth which is the Word. It has the power to purify our hearts, minds and our whole lives as written in John 17:17, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth. "
Rejecting Jesus and His righteousness means crucifying Him! Notice, they rejected Jesus because they preferred keeping their egos contaminated by sin. Instead, accept Him, and we will surely be surrounded by an atmosphere of truth. If we confess our sins, the cross of Christ has the power to forgive, free and give us eternal life to be united with Him forever. Amen.
Anda dapat melihat rekaman Video Ibadah secara lengkap DISINI