11 - Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Jesus would have been in a bad way after being scourged and carrying the cross.  He would have lost blood from His torn skin and been dehydrating.  Unusually perhaps, the artist has chosen to show Jesus here, with a still strong body - fit even for playing Tarzan!  Do you doubt for a moment that this Jesus could wipe the floor with His persecutors?  I think the artist did that to show not that Jesus is a super fit man, but that He is after all, Almighty God: Jesus could just brush His persecutors aside!

But Jesus looks to Heaven: He knows that avoiding the cross is not His Father's way.  Oh the day will come when He will come with POWER and no-one will be able to harm Him!  The Bible calls it that great and terrible day!  And wipe the floor He will, sorting everyone into two - into those who will be judged lacking, and those who relied on His mercy, who co-operated with His grace.  The depth of His mercy is on display here, for all to see.  If you have eyes to see, then take note.  God is your last chance.  The last plank of survival.  When Jesus clears the floor, the divide between those who stand with Him, and those who don't will be agonisingly huge.  No one will be able to cross.

Do these words trouble you?  Will you quibble like the leaders who argue about the words to be written at the top of the cross?  Or will you look at the innocent man, crucified for your sake, reaching out in love to spare you sharp judgement?

The Gospel is hard.  The good news is tough.  Jesus has true grit like no other man has shown.  His word is like a sword.  And it will cut you unless you allow God to embrace you in love.

Like the Bishops and Priests say on Ash Wednesday: "Repent, and believe in the good news".

Just do it!  While you still can!