Good morning,
Jesus’ birth was just the beginning. We often forget that Jesus was a real person, who lived a real life. We look at the Bible accounts and forget that there is a ten year gap between the visitation of the wise men to the account of Jesus as a twelve year boy at the temple. “And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” (Luke 2:46-47) Then another eighteen years till He was baptized by John and began His earthly ministry.
What happens next?
Crucifixion
“And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.36 And sitting down they watched him there;37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27:35-40) (Mark 15:16-47, Luke 23:26-56, John 19:17-42)
The death of Jesus on the cross was the culmination of His ministry on earth. It is the reason He was born as a man—to die for the sins of the world so that those who believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16-18). After being found innocent of all charges against Him, Jesus was nevertheless handed over to the Romans to be crucified. The events of that day are recorded as including His seven last sayings, the mocking and taunting by the soldiers and the crowd, the casting of lots among the soldiers for His clothing, and three hours of darkness. At the moment Jesus gave up His spirit, there was an earthquake, and the huge, heavy curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn from top to bottom, signifying that access to God was now open to all who believe in Jesus. The body of Jesus was taken down from the cross, laid in a borrowed tomb, and left until after the Sabbath.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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