Have you ever experienced something so scary that there was no way out? It could be something as simple as giving a speech or singing in front of a crowd. But the anxiety and fear prevented you from doing it. You are definitely not alone. We all have to face challenges like this in our lives—sooner or later. You should learn to cope with the fact that life will not always be easy. It will not always hand out flowers, nor will it always hand out thorns.
Do not expect the worst or the best from life, but learn to be content in any situation. Regardless of whether we are Christian or not, we all have the tendency to falter when we see trouble ahead. Adam experienced the same thing when he was pressured to choose between standing for God in obedience or sinning with his wife. Since Adam was unable to overcome the hard trial, sin entered the world. For this reason, humanity needed a second chance. God had to do the hardest thing in the history of the universe. Jesus had to endure the hardest thing anyone could ever face.
As Christ reached Gethsemane, his heart grew heavy with the knowledge of the judgment that was to befall mankind. He, who knew no sin, took on the burden of sin so that the hearts of sinners could be lifted up to God. That was the reason why the Savior exclaimed, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death” (Matthew 26:38). The agony of the cross weighed heavily on Him, so much so that He fell to the ground exhausted. The temptation to allow the guilty man to die in his own sins was so great that his sweat turned to blood. This revealed the anxiety and stress Christ had to endure.
The cup of sin was so repulsive to Christ that He wished to avoid drinking from it. He wished not to have to stand before the Father as the sin bearer. However, throughout His childhood, Christ learned to hear God’s voice. Thus, at that moment of the test, He was able to say, “yet not my will, but yours be done” (See Luke 22:42-52).
Who could endure what Christ endured? What man could give up his life for those eager to take it and destroy it? The fear he endured would be enough to terrify anyone today. Although it was heavy, Jesus triumphed. It was at this moment that the devil lost the battle—and later, the war. Christ could no longer be shaken; He had overcome the world.
As Christ was taken to the judgment hall, he encountered his most vile opponents—the self-proclaimed supreme educators of God’s word. They were the ones who wanted to condemn Christ more than anyone else. They were the ones who would sentence Him to death. Christ was alone. He stood in silence in front of the Sanhedrin, calm and with dignity, just as Isaiah prophesied, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth (Isaiah 53:7, NIV).
To condemn Him to death, they needed a civil case against him, so they sent him to Pilate. Being the Righteous Judge of the Universe, Jesus was sent to the unrighteous judge. Though having power in His hands to free Himself, He passed through unjust trials. Why? So that He would be just as you and me—dependent solely on the grace of God. As Paul wrote, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15, KJV).
Pilate himself could not find anything worthy of condemnation. In an attempt not to be guilty, Pilate handed Jesus over to Herod. The Jewish king had heard many stories about Jesus and wanted to witness one of His miracles. However, Jesus never gave him the chance. Herod became furious. His sins had been revealed through Jesus’s silence. His heart hardened, and he rejected the final call to repent.
As if all that Jesus had already suffered were not enough, Herod clothed him in the finest robe. In a sense, Herod was trying to say, “He proclaims Himself the King of the Jews, but He is nobody!” All this power He ‘supposedly’ has served Him for nothing. I have the power! I am the King of the Jews!” Herod then mocked and tortured Jesus.
Tired of having Jesus in his presence, Herod sent him back to Pilate. There, Jesus was scourged, beaten, and ridiculed once more. Pilate could not save Jesus unless he offered someone truly worthy of death. During this feast, it was customary to release a prisoner chosen by the people. Although this pagan custom was valued by the Jews, it had no resemblance to justice. The Roman authorities held a condemned prisoner named Barabbas. Ellen White says,
“Sorrow filled heaven, as it was realized that man was lost and that world which God had created was to be filled with mortals doomed to misery, sickness, and death, and there was no way of escape for the offender. […] I saw the lovely Jesus and beheld an expression of sympathy and sorrow upon His countenance. Soon I saw Him approach the exceeding bright light which enshrouded the Father. Said my accompanying angel, “He is in close conversation with His Father” (The Story of Redemption, p. 42).
They spoke with one loud, hateful voice: “Away with this Man, and release unto us Barabbas!” There was nothing that could be done. The Son of God would have to die.
Again the surging multitude roared like demons. Demons themselves, in human form, were in the crowd, and what could be expected but the answer, “Let Him be crucified”? (The Desire of Ages, p. 733).
The prophet Isaiah says,
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:6-7, KJV).
As the Son of God approached the end of His life, He maintained His unwavering silence. The Lord of Glory undertook this task Himself, a feat that no one else could accomplish. The Bible says, “And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me” (Isaiah 63:5, KJV). Ellen White continues,
“From insult to renewed insult, from mockery to mockery, twice tortured by the scourge,—all that night there had been scene after scene of a character to try the soul of man to the uttermost. Christ had not failed. He had spoken no word but that tended to glorify God. All through the disgraceful farce of a trial, He had borne Himself with firmness and dignity. But when, after the second scourging, the cross was laid upon Him, human nature could bear no more. He fell, fainting beneath the burden.” (DA 741.4)
A man named Simon carried Jesus’s cross until they reached the top of that hill. Two men were alongside Him to receive their condemnation. Differently from Jesus, the two men struggled against the Roman soldiers. They knew their acts. They knew their guilt and didn’t want to pay their penalty. Nevertheless, Christ accepted it in silence. There was no fighting against it; there was no resistance.
As they laid Him down, nails were pierced through the hands that once had made miracles. Those hands that had healed and blessed were now to be wounded with the consequences of our own sins. The physical pain was agonizing. But much more was the emotional pain and fear of not being able to save you.
There, at the Golgotha, they hung the Messiah—the Son of God. There your sins were laid upon the sinless Lamb of God. He did not have a hand to help Him. He did not even have the host of angels to free Him. That was the time for the battle—the battle He had to fight for you and for me. Alone, in silence, Jesus fought sin.
Those same two thieves now join with the chorus, saying, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” “Save thyself, and come down from the cross.” “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe” (See Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:30, 32). Ellen White says, “Both the men who were crucified with Jesus had at first railed upon Him; and one under his suffering only became more desperate and defiant. But not so with his companion” (Desire of Ages, p. 749).
What was the reason why this man was to be crucified with Jesus? Why was he to be at the same place, under the same condemnation? In reality, the cross of Jesus was never meant to be His. It was made for Barabbas. But the true reason was that, even at the cross, Jesus had scheduled an encounter with a soul in need. What a moment to have an encounter, no? But Jesus knew that that was still a chance to save at least one who had been chained by the powers of darkness.
Ellen White continues,
“This man was not a hardened criminal; he had been led astray by evil associations, but he was less guilty than many of those who stood beside the cross reviling the Saviour. He had seen and heard Jesus and had been convicted by His teaching, but he had been turned away from Him by the priests and rulers. Seeking to stifle conviction, he had plunged deeper and deeper into sin, until he was arrested, tried as a criminal, and condemned to die on the cross” (Desire of Ages, p. 749)
As Nicodemus, he had heard from Jesus and was convinced of His power to save his life. However, instead of seeking Christ deeper, he was overthrown by Satan into discouragement and sin, until a moment where he thought no more hope or grace could be given unto him. Ellen White describes,
“On the cross, he sees the many great religionists shoot out the tongue with scorn, and ridicule the Lord Jesus. He sees the wagging heads. He hears the upbraiding speeches taken up by his companion in guilt: […] Among the passers-by he hears many defending Jesus. He hears them repeat His words, and tell of His works. The conviction comes back to him that this is the Christ” (Desire of Ages, p. 749).
As conviction came to his heart, he was converted. This brought forth words of rebuke to that other thief, who was also paying for his life of sin. The penitent thief spoke in favor of Christ, recognizing his surrender to the feet of Jesus.
Christ was once again face-to-face with temptation. It was painful; it was humiliating; it was depressing. In an instant, He could free Himself and leave humanity to perish. However, to free Himself meant an eternal separation from God and human beings. It meant His character being challenged all over the universe.
Christ stood faithful. On that cross, Christ was opening up the salvation of humankind. On that cross, Jesus began the greatest miracle of all. The ones who were to receive His sacrifice were not only the Jews or superhumans, free of sin. In fact, they were just like that thief hanging on the cross: sinners!
But from the lips of the Savior, sinners are made righteous. On that cross, a glimpse of hope appeared unto that man as Jesus promised what He still promises to us today. He would come (and He is coming!) to take us home! For someone that had no home or family, Jesus offered a kingdom, a royal family, and eternity together with Him—abiding in His presence! With words of peace and grace, “Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee [today], thou [shalt] be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
A new life was given! From being a thief, he is now redeemed! From a sinner, he is now a child of God. This new beginning of eternity, imparted to such a wretched, poor, and miserable sinner like him, can also be given unto you. Jesus does not care for your past. It is not something that Jesus will look at. He will never give up on you, simply because He is the God of miracles, and He will transform your future—if you allow Him to do so.
After saving that soul, the Lord was ready to lay down His life for the remission of our sins. Humbly, He bowed His head and said: “It is finished!” For love, Jesus died for you!
Nonetheless, Jesus did not stay long in that grave. The pyramids in Egypt are famous for having the mummified bodies of the great kings of Egypt, with all their pomp, luxury, and riches. The Westminster Cathedral is revered for burying kings, queens, nobles, and honored characters from past British history. The Taj Mahal is distinguished as the finest model of a mausoleum, and houses the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and her husband, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The Arlington National Cemetery, in Virginia, is the place of rest for many renowned Americans—those who, with bravery, steadfastness, and loyalty, carried within themselves the scars of their battles. However, the sepulcher of Jesus is famous for being empty. He still carries the marks of His battle with death—but He overcame.
The cross of Calvary shines the price of sin and God’s great love for humanity, but the empty tomb gives us the certainty of a living Savior; gives us the assurance of a new life in Him; gives us the hope of our own victory over death.
Do you want to experience His victory? Do you want to see Jesus? I hope this will be your victory as well! I hope that all fear, anxiety, and anguish will be swept away from your soul, and having Jesus interceding for you, you will experience the peace and joy of the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen!
