PIERCED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS

AS we enter this room, we are greeted by nails each five to seven inches long, not unlike those driven into the hands and feet of our

Lord. Pick a nail up, press it against your wrist and feel how sharp it is. Imagine the excruciating pain our Lord Jesus felt as the nails pierced his flesh.

You can watch what Jesus went through via this link.

WARNING: The following clip contains scenes of violence and may be uncomfortable to some.

The scenes of our Lord Jesus crucified on the cross brings to mind two pertinent perspectives of crucifixion from the Romans and Jews.

To the Romans,

Crucifixion is probably the most cruel method of execution ever practiced, for it deliberately delayed death until maximum torture had been inflicted. The victim could suffer for days before dying. When the Romans adopted it, they reserved it for criminals convicted of murder, rebellion or armed robbery, provided they were also slaves, foreigners or other nonpersons. 4

While we often focus on the pain that our Lord experienced, we forget that Roman crucifixion quite literally stripped an individual of being “human.”

To the Jews, crucifixion would be no less of an abomination because Israel did not make a distinction between hanging from a tree and crucifixion on a cross. Deuteronomy 21:23 clearly states that “anyone who is hung on a tree is cursed by God.”

The crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Messiah would mean that Jesus not only lost his identity as human, but also had his relationship with God severed. Indeed, “he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our inequities… The Lord has laid on him the inequity of us all.” Bearing the burden of our sins upon his broken body, is it any wonder that Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Yet as we look at two of Jesus’ final sayings on the cross, we begin to comprehend his depth of love for humanity and his family.

First, as we consider Jesus’ incredible suffering, the brutal flogging, crown of thorns raking into his brow, the agony of nails being driven into his hands and feet, what response would we expect from someone who has suffered thus? Jesus’ prayer is extraordinary! “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This, my friends, is incredible grace!

Moreover, as Jesus’ gaze fell upon his mother at the foot of the cross, weeping, heartbroken and inconsolable, his heart goes out to her despite his agony. “Woman, here is your son… Here is your mother,” Jesus gasped, entrusting the care of his mother to his beloved disciple. This shows Jesus’ love and concern for his mother even in His time of deep pain and agony.

Dear friends, it is quite unfathomable that in spite of the terrible struggle to draw breath and the unbearable pain, Jesus still demonstrated amazing love, not just for his family but for his tormentors. Even to his dying breath, Jesus thought of others.

As you move from painting to painting in this room, allow this song to speak of Jesus’ immense love to you.

Reflect: From your journey thus far, which painting holds the most meaning for you? What do you think God is saying to you? Write a short prayer thanking Jesus for his love for you.

Act: In Jesus’ time of pain and agony, His love for us was not diminished. Consider your love for others, especially your own family members. How can you love them despite the pain and agony you may be going through?

As a sidenote. FMC will be having a special service on 30 Apr where we will be focusing on the theme of “family”. We invite you to join us that Sunday to recommit our love for our family.

Room 5

It Is Finished

AS we enter this final room, let’s ask ourselves what Jesus’ death on the cross has accomplished? In John 19:28, we see that after hanging on the cross for 6 hours, Jesus knew that everything had now been finished, so that Scripture would be fulfilled. Jesus proclaimed, “It is finished” and breathed his last on the cross.

Luke records that three miraculous things occurred. First, from noon to three in the afternoon, the sun stopped shining and darkness came over the whole land. Second, the curtain in the temple, the heavy veil that separated God’s presence from the congregation was torn in two. Third, on the third day, Jesus’ tomb stood empty. God’s messenger proclaimed to the women, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”

Dear friends, this is the cornerstone of Christianity. When Jesus carried the burden of the sins of humanity, he was separated from God and because the sins of Man have been removed, the rending of the temple’s curtain in half meant that not only has forgiveness been extended to humanity, Man could once again directly come before God in worship.

Just as the death of Christ brought forgiveness, the resurrection of Christ brought hope! Romans 8:11 tells us:

“the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again. The good news is we serve a God who is real and alive today, Jesus Christ who loves us and who hears our prayers. We can follow him with new life that comes from him.

Jesus says in Revelation 3:20,

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”

He is waiting for us to invite Him into our lives. Jesus didn’t suffer and die on the cross so that we could have religion! No! Jesus sacrificed His life so that YOU could have a personal relationship with Him!

Are you ready to invite Him into your life? If so, we invite you to say this short prayer to Jesus.

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Please forgive me. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and my life to you. I confess You as my personal Savior and Lord. I surrender my whole life to you and I will follow you only for the rest of my life. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you have prayed the prayer above, congratulations on your entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven! Please do let us know and you are welcome to join us in our Church Services!

Act: As you come to the end of the Via Dolorosa, take some time to gather your reflections. On one of the “Post-it” note pads, we invite you to pen a short response to Jesus. It can be a short prayer or short letter thanking Jesus for his love. You can either stick this note to the wall as an encouragement to others or to bring it back as your own personal reminder.

On behalf of Foochow Methodist Church, we hope you have been blessed. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God our Heavenly Father and the inspiration and strength of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.