When God inspired the writers of the Scriptures, He didn’t waste words on meaningless thoughts. He didn’t chase rabbits. Every word in the Bible is meant for a purpose. There is a message for us in all scriptures. Matthew 27:46 is no exception.
Christ was executed. The manner was by crucifixion which is considered one of the worst forms of death. Adjectives used to describe crucifixion are cruel, brutal, harshness, horribly violet, gruesome, and others. We are very aware of the beatings; Isaiah writes about His face being disfigured after the beating. His face was most likely a bloody pulp. The whips with bone/stones tied in the tips. The whipping left His back looking like raw meat after lashes from those whips. He struggled with dragging the cross while people all around Him mocked and ridiculed Him. The nails pounded in His hands and feet. The struggle to catch a breath while hanging on the cross. We tend to focus on the physical pain Jesus suffered which is appropriate because it was severe.
A number of commentators write that Matthew 27:46 signifies that Christ was separated from God when he took on our sins. This thought makes sense. Others write that it demonstrated the human and emotional side of Christ as well.
We should think about the emotional aspect of Christ’s suffering as well as the physical. When Christ came into the garden His emotions were already on edge. He told His disciples that His “soul was over whelmed with sorrow” before He prayed. He fell to His knees then to His face and begin to cry pleading that God deliver Him from the execution. He faced false charges, was cursed and ridiculed. Peter, one of the twelve He took into the inner garden denied Him three times. He heard the Jews cry out for His crucifixion. The Jews despised Him so that they asked that Barabbas, a murderer on death row, be released as opposed to releasing Christ. They spit in His face which is a great show of disrespect. Mocked Him with a staff, a purple robe and crown as the king of the Jews. Christ was thirsty, He was taunted when they gave Him the bitter drink. These actions served to tear Him down emotionally adding to the brutal physical pain He was suffering.
Peter tells us that Christ did not verbally retaliate against those crucifying Him which took great restraint. 1 Peter 2:23, NIV: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” The emotional and physical cruelty finally came out when Christ cried out in a loud voice to God asking why He had forsaken Him. I believe Christ expressed His emotions at this point.
If you read the obituaries, many say the deceased was surrounded by loving family. At Christ death, He did not feel surround by loving family even though his mother and brothers were there. He did not feel that His God was with Him.
From the internet: “Emotional and psychological abuse may not leave physical marks, but they can be just as destructive as physical abuse, leading to anxiety, depression, and addiction. Like physical abuse, they are primarily a means of control and a way for the abuser to feel superior.”
Matthew and Mark record Jesus asking God why He had forsaken Him. Mark also records that “with a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last”. Luke records Jesus’ last words from the cross were: “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” John records that Jesus said : “It is finished”.
The next time you think about Christ’s death focus on both the physical and emotional punishment of what He suffered! After all He did it for YOU!
Thanks!
Mike This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
