Consider the cross –

Two pieces of thick wood fastened together, designed to illicit unimaginable pain. This cross wasn’t made with nice, stained wood that had been sanded and polished. But old, dirty and blood-stained wood, full of splinters and leftover grime from previous crucifixions.

We, Christians consider this same cross -art, jewelry, a symbol of grace and blessing. We hang pictures of crosses in our homes, recreate models in our churches, wear it as a symbol around our necks and on our t-shirts. We use it as a logo and a tool for marketing-when in reality it was created for one purpose and one alone-death.

Not just any death, but a death that came following unbearable pain and suffering. Death on a cross saved and used to punish the worst criminals.

But God, while he did in fact use the cross for the exact purpose for which it was created-death and punishment of the worst kind of evil-sin. Through his divine power and grace this same cross became a symbol of glory and forgiveness. A place where my sin and yours was put to death, to be forgotten forever.

Consider the garden –

Jesus went there to pray. His disciples went to there to nap. This garden intended for peace, a place of rest and quiet, perhaps even provision from the fruit it bore.

But for Jesus, on this night it was not peaceful, it is where he suffered and cried out to his Father for another way. This garden is where he was disappointed by those closest to him by their inability to stay awake and pray with him.

This garden is where he was betrayed by a man whose feet, he had washed only a few hours earlier.

Consider Peter –

The one who promised to love and protect, even saying he would die for Jesus if necessary. Yet when trouble came, he lashed out in prideful anger harming another. Quickly followed by denying he even knew Jesus.

Consider Jesus’ followers-

Not only his disciples but all those who followed Jesus, listening to his teaching, seeing him heal the blind, deaf, sick and lame. The same men who watched as he walked across the water and calmed the storm.

These followers now find themselves running away and hiding out of fear- instead of trusting and standing by their friend and teacher, the One they knew to be the Messiah.

Consider the crowd-

Men and women, maybe even children milling about and caught up in the excitement that was unfolding before them. The ones who shouted “Hosanna!” and laid coats and palm branches on the road for Jesus.

Only a few days later find themselves caught up in another crowd this time shouting “crucify him”.

Consider Jesus –

The Son of God, born for one purpose-this exact moment and time. Fully knowing what faced him, completely able to stop ALL OF IT.

Instead, he allows himself to be beaten  and his bruised, bloodied and naked body hung on that cross in my place.

Jesus chooses to obey his Father in the ultimate act of submission and love, taking on my sin, my shame, my punishment and my death.

Consider the tomb-

Dark, tightly sealed, the end of hope, the end of life, the end period.

Yet three days later it became the exact opposite!

Empty, a place of light, fresh hope and new life. It became a place of restoration, forgiveness and freedom. It became my way to Jesus!

Consider the religious leaders-

The Pharisees, Scribes and other leaders – did they feel victorious, justified even? Or do some of them at least, feel a sense of shame and grief, wondering if perhaps they got it wrong?

Consider-

There are so many other things and people present and relevant to this story we lump together and call Easter. Do we ever slow ourselves down, stopping to fully consider all these things?

Two criminals hanging on crosses next to him – one gets it -the other doesn’t.

Simon, a man, randomly chosen from the crowd to carry this cross for Jesus – what if it was you? What if it is you and you are being asked to carry a heavy weight that you didn’t ask for or want?

Mary, in one moment not only losing her Son but also her Savior.

The soldiers -what did they feel as the pounded the nails, and gambled for his clothing? What do you feel knowing we do this same thing to him today each time we disobey and choose our own way?

Consider yourself-

Where do you find yourself in this story? Would you act like Peter, pridefully promising to do whatever it takes – only to fall hard at the first sign of things not going the way you thought they were supposed to?

Are you in the crowd, allowing yourself to be caught up in the excitement without even realizing the words coming from your own mouth or the compromises you are making?

Are you a soldier, simply following orders that you don’t agree with or understand?

What about the Pharisee? Is this who we are? So caught up in religious tradition, experience and self-importance that we miss our Savior standing right in front of us waiting with open arms?

Or perhaps we are Judas, choosing to betray our Savior by allowing the world, money or greed to be our God?

Consider these things, these people as you sit in church and gaze at the cross.

Consider the sacrifice of Jesus as you run your fingers over that cross you fasten around your neck or as you pull on that t-shirt.

Consider the prayer Jesus prayed as you see the grass turn green, and new life blooming from the ground.

Consider the pain and betrayal Jesus felt hanging alone on that cross for you and me.

Consider Jesus. Consider our Savior. Consider sacrifice.

Consider setting aside pride, agenda, success, image-

consider getting on your knees, bowing before the One who gave his all for you.

Consider Jesus.