Lake Eufaula Christian Church
The crowds who excitedly welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday had turned against Him by Good Friday. Because of the prophesied word of God, Jesus had to endure the torture to reconcile us to God, to have our sins forgiven so we can live with God forever in His heavenly kingdom.
In Old Testament days, God started a process in Leviticus 16 that led up to the example of Christ on the Cross. One day a year, Aaron ( Moses’ brother) was to go into Holy of Holies in the Jewish temple and offer two goats as sacrifices. He would kill one goat and put its blood on the other. “He will lay both of his hands on the goat’s head and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. In this way, he will transfer the people’s sins to the head of the goat.
“Then a man specially chosen for the task will drive the goat into the wilderness. As the goat goes into the wilderness, it will carry all the people’s sins upon itself into a desolate land.” One time a year the Israelites’ sins were forgiven, thanks to the scapegoat being sinfully cast out.
Jesus embodied what the scapegoat represented— His purpose in God’s plan was to be sacrificed and “scapegoated” for us once and for all. No longer would a yearly scapegoat be needed. The cross was not a defeat; it was a victory. Jesus didn’t hang on the cross, thinking, “How did I get into this messy situation?” God didn’t wonder while Jesus bled. The crucifixion wasn’t a mistake or a surprise.
Many Old Testament passages point to the Messiah on the cross. Psalm 22:1 asks, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” David wrote these words a thousand years before Jesus said them. It goes on prophetically to describe what actually came to pass. “My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.” (Psalm 22-16-18) Some people incorrectly think that Jesus was simply overpowered by soldiers and angry mobs. But Jesus had the power of heaven at His very disposal. He had the power to speak and calm a raging storm and to call someone dead to arise. Why didn’t He use that power to save Himself on the cross? He explained the reason this way: “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” (Matthew 26:53-54) On the cross “At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then… Jesus cried out with a loud voice… ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mark 15:33-34). This is the only time in scripture when Jesus doesn’t call Him “Father.” Imagine the empty, sick, devastated reality of what Jesus was feeling—not just physical pain, but highly emotional pain.
Why did the cross have to happen? So scripture would be fulfilled. But, why this way? Because there was no other way for the Messiah to take all the sins of humanity upon Himself. Jesus had to be forsaken, so that we could be forgiven. He had to be abandoned so that we could be accepted.
Because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) We must never minimize the cost of our sin and our salvation. Instead, we must cherish the reward for choosing God’s Son whose resurrection LECC will celebrate this coming Sunday at 415987 Highway 9, Eufaula. Festivities begin with an egg hunt for children at 9:45 a.m. Easter Feaster brunch and fellowship start at 10 a.m., and worship at 11 a.m. with a dramatic presentation by our young people. If you don’t currently have a church home, we’d love for you to meet our imperfect church family as we worship our perfect savior!
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
