Redemption – Semper Reformanda

Mourning into Joy | Good Friday: I Find No Fault in this Man | Holy Week | Devotional Series | Part 7 of 10

I find Pilate’s declaration of Jesus’ innocence quite intriguing. Why would YHWH require a man’s institution declare Him innocent? Considering, the kind of humiliation that would entail. I mean, wasn’t the cross enough? Why put Jesus through the avoidable humiliation?! But the more I inquire, the more I grow in love with the fact that Christ endured all this – not just knowingly, but also willingly.

So many Christians around the world will hear their pastors preach the Cross to them today. And that is absolutely essential. But me, I can’t help but be moved by this little exchange Jesus had with Pilate. So, in this insignificant humble little blog of mine, I wish to devote some words dwelling on that.

Jesus was subjected to a human judiciary system. I believe, that in itself is a humiliation – unbearable; considering Jesus to be an equal head of the triune God who is sovereign. But not just that, the subjugation did not proceed from accusation and straight to the Cross. No. Jesus was put through every minute of what entails – the most gruesome dealing a judiciary system could enforce. Apart from this, it is also worth noting, He had no friends or followers devoted to Him at this point. Jesus was abandoned, both socially and later, spiritually (Matt 27:46). I believe it is very important for us to know – Jesus suffered the Cross absolutely alone. Now in the backdrop of this context, I want us to revisit Pilate’s declaration.

Why was this needed?

The reason, I (apparently) believe is to inform us, through all conceivable medium that Jesus died sinless – true to His nature – an innocent man – for our sins. Because the judiciary system of God requires the blood of the lamb to declare us innocent, as Jesus was declared innocent. Because only the blood of the lamb can wash us anew. Because only the blood of the lamb can make us holy.

Dear reader, one day – as Jesus was judged by the law of man, we will be judged by the law of God. And on that day – our only fighting chance to be declared innocent is if we are washed in the blood of the lamb. The only way, we will be declared innocent is if we are cloth in His righteousness. The Apostle Paul so aptly put this in words.

“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 Cor 5:21, NLT)

The only way we could be made right with God is through Christ. And the only reason we could come through Christ is because of Good Friday. It is because on this day, Jesus knowingly and willingly, put Himself through man’s judgement to fulfill the wrath of God. So that one day, you and I could stand as innocent as Him, when God’s judgement comes to pass. Therefore Paul confirmed, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1) How wonderful is that… Jesus died an innocent man so that you and I could be declared innocent. Because it is only His righteousness that grants us salvation. To God be the Glory.

I hope everyone is safe and quarantined. Let us use this self-isolation period to grow more in faith – to spend more alone time in the Word of God. I wish you and your family a very blessed Good Friday. I hope and pray that the joy of salvation be thoroughly renewed this season – in your life, and in the life of your loved ones. Shalom!

Series Index: (1) Introduction: Why Observe the Holy Week (2) Palm Sunday: Sovereign Mercy (3) Holy Monday: Tough Love (4) Holy Tuesday: Who do we say this Jesus is (5) Spy Wednesday: The Temptation of Worldly Logic (6) Maundy Thursday: Jesus, Truly Human, for You and Me

Pages: 12

Mourning into Joy | Holy Tuesday: Who do we say this Jesus is | Holy Week | Devotional Series | Part 4 of 10

As the days settled in Jerusalem, Jesus won’t stop talking about morbid days ahead. What erratic lunacy it must have been, for the disciples to witness their messiah brooding over his death. These few days was hard for Christ, but it must have been utterly confusing for the disciples. Here is the messiah, who they believed would grant them great health, wealth and happiness – one who was going to overthrow the Roman rule. And yet they kept hearing Him say, He was going to be killed by His own people?! When Peter rebuked Christ, he confirmed these sentiments. But Christ had a different objective. Jesus did not come to satisfy our shortsighted, glory-hungry whims and fancies. He came to grant us salvation. But Jesus knew, the kind of God they imagined Him to be – one that takes their side, grants them comfort, and overthrows their enemies. And therefore, He asked: Who do we say this Jesus is?

There are three important points to be noted here. First, joy could only come through mourning this sinful life. Because eternal life could only come through the Cross. Second, we are not to seek comfort in this world – which the scriptures rightfully deemed, the Kingdom of the Evil one. (1 Jn 5:19) And lastly, we are to forgive one another. (Mark 11:25) Marshal Segal writes,

“Our salvation was purchased with suffering, and it will be sealed and preserved with suffering (James 1:2–4), not comfort… If we come to the crucified one expecting him to make life easier and more comfortable, we’re not listening to him. Jesus says, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’ (Mark 8:34).” (Pg. 38-39)

The mark of a true disciple is suffering. A world that rejects Christ, cannot accept His followers. (John 15:19) But our confidence lies in that fact that God forgave us and called us His own. Therefore, as forgiven people, we ought to forgive.

For Jesus, it was important that the disciples know that a life of suffering awaited them, and they were not to hold any grudges nor hatred against anyone. Because the failure to do so posed a greater problem. But ultimately, none of this could come through until and unless they could do away with their false imagination of who Christ was. Because for Jesus, His desire for His followers were not for them to become rich, comfortable, and enjoy great authority in the world. Christ desired His people to be driven by a self-sacrificial love. Because love alone was/is the category of His Kingdom – not riches, not conquest, not political power – none of that which resembles this fallen world. Therefore, for Jesus this question was really important. It was important that they know Him for who He really is – before He could lay down His life. So that they could follow Him to the kingdom of eternal life, He was preparing for them.

Dear readers, I wonder if Christ was to ask us – who do we say this Jesus is? Would we have the correct answer? Or will He find us riddled by the god of our own imagination? Will He find us desiring a god that grants us great health, and takes our side against people who treat us unfavorably?! There is only one thing I can say: life is full of suffering as it is, why not suffer for good. To God be the Glory.

Series Index: (1) Introduction: Why Observe the Holy Week (2) Palm Sunday: Sovereign Mercy (3) Holy Monday: Tough Love

Pages: 12

Mourning into Joy | Holy Monday: Tough Love | Holy Week | Devotional Series | Part 3 of 10

Love is not always meek. My mother loves me a lot. I know this, not only because she is good to me. But because she scolds me, and corrects me when I need correcting. Christ demonstrated this bolder side of love, post His meek entrance into Jerusalem. He cursed a healthy-looking fig tree. And raged through the various vendors at the temple. Because the Israelites had lost the plot. They were more concern with being religious superficially, than knowing God authentically. Obedience is better than sacrifice. (1 Sam 15:22) If the Israelites really cared, they would have known what their patriarch David himself wrote: “you do not desire a sacrifice (oh! LORD), or I would offer one”. (Ps 51:16) But the whole pretext of littering the temple with various vendors was to facilitate the ease of offering sacrifices; as Israelites came from various different places – travelling long distances. From that perspective, what a reasonably noble thing those vendors were doing. But that’s not what YHWH desires. But beyond that, the superficial religiosity was keeping foreigners away from God. Jonathan Parnell wrote:

“The great sadness of this scene wasn’t so much the rows of product and price-gouging, but that all this left no room for the Gentiles and outcasts to come to God.” (Pg. 27)

This scene was sad, because according to Isaiah’s vision foreigners and outcasts were to gather with His people. (Isa 56:4-8) Do you understand now, why Christ did, what He did? He cleansed the temple – because He loved us. He corrected the Israelites because He loved them; and most importantly, He loved us – foreigners and outcast, who without Christ’s intervention would have remained outside of His covenant.

So – dear reader, do you understand, Christ’s bold move wasn’t a reaction against an unexpected sight – seeing corrupt money lenders in the temple. No. He is sovereign, and omniscient. He knew it already.

This was a lesson He wanted His disciples to learn, and for us to know. It is not a bloated religiosity that He wants. A fig tree no matter how healthy, without good fruits, is only destined for condemnation. What Christ wants – what YHWH wants is our hearts. And no one, absolutely no one can bear good fruits, until He is planted in the one who says:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5, ESV)

So dear readers, this is why Christ cleansed the temple. So that we could be gathered into Him; so that we could abide in Him, and bear good fruits. Let us take comfort in knowing that this same Christ, is willing to clean our hearts and make us a temple that glorifies His name. Because nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love, that is manifested through Christ for us. (Rom 8:38-39) To God be the Glory.

Series Index: (1) Introduction: Why Observe the Holy Week (2) Palm Sunday: Sovereign Mercy

Pages: 12