This Changes EverythingSample

His Death Changed Everything

Jesus came with power and authority but not to lord it over people; He came to serve and lay down His life for others. The cross and the way to the cross was a way of suffering. The final leg of Jesus’ road of suffering began with betrayal, being denied by His closest friends and followers. Abandoned in prayer in His darkest hour, mocked by all, unjustly accused, and enduring a 'kangaroo court' experience. Next, He faced an empathetic Pilate, who saw no fault in Him; He lost against the worst kind of criminal in Barabbas during the customary prisoner pardon before Passover, until finally, He endured a grotesque Roman crucifixion. Jesus experienced suffering across all levels of the human condition. Pain, public humiliation, betrayal, shame, becoming a curse (Philippians 2:5-15.)

The Suffering Servant of Isaiah

As Jesus had been teaching, His death is part of God's sovereign purpose and plan to provide an atoning sacrifice for the world's sins. Victory comes through sacrifice, suffering, death, and resurrection.

This was hard for everyone to understand. In Mark 8:27, Peter understands the Messiah aspect but fails to comprehend the suffering role of Christ. In the end, only the centurion understands (Mark 15:39), the righteous and innocent suffering servant, remains faithful to God's purpose and calling.

The suffering servant freely gave His life on our behalf. It's not until after the death and resurrection of Jesus that the people genuinely understand Isaiah 53. The image of Isaiah is fulfilled in Christ: He suffered in our place (53:4), bore the punishment of our sins and even sin itself (53:5, 11, 12), and interceded on our behalf (53:12).

According to the one disciple there, these are Jesus' final three words, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Mark 15:37 says He breathed His last. This final moment of laying down His life as a ransom for sin and death was complete. God in human flesh humbled Himself, allowed His life to be taken, died a criminal's death on the cross, suffered humiliation, rejection, pain, and ridicule, and took His final breath – He had completed the task, “IT IS FINISHED.”

Prayer Point:

Lord Jesus, thank you that you came to die for my sins. Today, I recognize the sacrifice that you made as the suffering servant, that came to suffer a criminal’s death, rejected and ridiculed in my place. I thank you that your sacrifice means my eternal life is secure in you.