Living In The Light

October 5, The Agony Of The Cross

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
—Luke 23:34 LL 294.1

After Jesus had been nailed to the cross, it was raised and with great force thrust into the place which had been prepared for it in the ground, tearing the flesh and causing the most intense suffering. To make the death ofJesus as shameful as possible, two thieves were crucified with Him, one on each side. The thieves were taken by force, and after much resistance on their part, their arms were thrust back and nailed to their crosses. But Jesus meekly submitted. He needed no one to force His arms back upon the cross. While the thieves were cursing their executioners, the Savior in agony prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” It was not merely agony of body which Christ endured; the sins of the whole world were upon Him. LL 294.2

As Jesus hung upon the cross, some who passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads as if bowing to a king, and said to Him, “Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save Thyself. IfThou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Satan used the same words to Christ in the wilderness—“IfThou be the Son of God.” The chief priests, elders, and scribes mockingly said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” The angels who hovered over the scene of Christ’s crucifixion were moved to indignation as the rulers derided Him and said, “If He be the Son of God, let Him deliver Himself.” They wished there to come to the rescue ofJesus and deliver Him, but they were not suffered to do so. The object of His mission was not yet accomplished. . . . LL 294.3

Jesus thirsted in His agony, and they gave Him vinegar and gall to drink; but when He tasted it, He refused it. The angels had viewed the agony of their loved Commander until they could behold no longer, and they veiled their faces from the sight. The sun refused to look upon the awful scene. Jesus cried with a loud voice, which struck terror to the hearts of His murderers, “It is finished’.’ Then the veil of the temple was rent from the top to the bottom, the earth shook, and the rocks rent. Great darkness was upon the face of the earth.— Early Writings , pp. 176—178. LL 294.4

Further Reflection: : Have you ever suffered for someone else? LL 294.5