Consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people.

 

Wednesday, August 9, 2023


Psalm 89:39-53

2 Samuel 15:7-23

John 11:38-54


Observance: Mary Sumner, founder of the Mother’s Union (d. 1921)


Consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people.


There are few joys in life greater than feeling like you are wasting time when actually you are accomplishing something. Sitting comfortably in an outdoor setting is one; resting in God’s presence without the intrusion of words is greater. Settling in with a half-decent British crime drama is a little lower on the list, but it still makes the list. Endeavour, the modern imagining of Inspector Morse’s formative years, is one of them. There was a scene in one of the last episodes, where Morse’s superior Fred Thursday has to defend his tragic decision to drop an important child abuse case in order to save his son’s life: “What about all those other boys?” an indignant Morse asks. “They aren’t my boy” Thursday replies, on the verge of tears.


Christ’s willing sacrifice on the cross is the pivotal event of creation, seared into human history as the hinge between epochs, for many reasons. One of the greatest wonders of that sacrifice is the love shown by the Father in sending Christ. An entire race of sinners; humans under the curse of death; none of us as special to the Father as His own and only begotten Son. It would be one thing for God to sit as magistrate over our case, coldly deciding between the guilty and the innocent with detachment such as we might find on George Street. But who ever heard of one of the bewigged offering up their own flesh and blood to serve time in prison in place of the accused?


Such was the attitude of Caiphas. It was no skin off his nose to have Jesus sent to the execution stake. In fact, from his point of view, everything would work out quite well for he and his if things did work out that way: he could keep his cushy job, and the Roman occupiers would have their blood lust sated. But, as our author points out, Caiphas was in fact prophesying of things far greater and spiritually deeper than he could have ever imagined. The curse was to be lifted. The gates to heaven were about to be opened. Forget temporal political interests: Christ’s death was to make clear the way for sinners to be redeemed, so that all who believe in Him would not perish, but have eternal life.


And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

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