The measure of a life is often determined by accomplishments. Everyone has their ambitions, and the world will tell you that wealth, fame, and glory are the marks of a good life. And yet God was poor (Matthew 8:20), his fame derived in death, and his glory in humility. In a world that was Rome that celebrated Cesars and men of renown who all wanted to wear a laurel crown and be praised by the crowds, Christ was mocked and decked with circulet of thorns and punished by the crowds with jeere of “crucify Him!” Like the mob in the Colliseum, the people of Israel begged for Jesus’ death, and the spectacle of crucifixion was well met. They got their gory need, God was made to bleed. While Pharisees and Prefects schemed, and the cogs of human avarice and ambition turned in the proverbial clock of life; God drowned in his own blood and water; suffocating on the cross above His creation, his children. Only one man and a few women stood there beholding the gory glory that would mean salvation for the world; for Jews and Pagans.
What a world! Cheers of jubilation for men of renown, but only a thorny crown and thistle words for God in the flesh. The world sneering at the Son of God, only to find He smiled back and said “Father Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Jesus bore the enmity, and offers man eternity. For a brief moment the world thought it had buried Christ and could resume its hails to Cesar, when from the Tomb did God burst like a womb. Five hundred and score more saw the Risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:5-6), the holes in His hands and side. Trumpets did blow in heaven and below, Resurrection flow.
As Christians we may find ourselves swallowed in obscurity. Struggling, and harrowing through a life of toil. No one calls our name, or writes our intials on walls of glory. And yet to Jesus it is not the cesars or mighty that will inherit the New Earth, but the Meek (Matthew 5:5). It is not the strong or the renowned, but the least, “For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” (Luke 9:48). Those who have suffered in shadows, whose quiet prayers of Christ in alleys or in beds shall see a day when their fortunes shall turn. Jesus sees us, frail humans, who watch as chariots pass us and laurels deck deplorable celebrities. We feel as if somehow forgotten, but we must remember, in Christ’s most glorious hour He was spat on, jeered, beaten, nailed to a cross, and suffocated slowly. It was not laurels and cheers, but lengthy sorrow and spears. Amen.
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