I have just started reading a book called: Scandalous: The cross and resurrection of Jesus.
The Author is D.A Carson, The book is based on 5 talks he gave at MarsHill Church Seattle (Mark Driscoll).
The first chapter (based on Matthew 27:27-51a) is on the mocking of Christ in His final Hours by Roman guards and those at the scene of the crucifixion. First of all the deep irony of the mocking Roman guards, dressing Jesus up as a King and taunting Him. Of course, the irony of this is, that, Jesus really is the one true King something they did not realise in their taunts and the same goes for those mocking at the crucifixion.
This is the last part of the Chapter and I love it … just thought I would share with you.
Followed by this poem.
On that wretched day the soldiers mocked him,
Raucous laughter in a barracks room,
“Hail the King!” they sneered, while spitting on him,
Brutal beatings on this day of gloom.
Though his crown was thorn, he was born a King -
Holy brilliance bathed in bleeding loss-
All the soldiers blind to this stunning theme:
Jesus reigning from a cursed cross.
Awful weakness mars the battered God-man,
Far too broken to hoist the beam,
Soldiers strip him bare and pound the nails in,
watch him hanging on the cruel tree.
God's own temple's down! He has been destroyed!
Death's remains are laid in rock and sod.
But the temple rises in God's wise ploy:
Our great temple is the son of God.
“Here's the One who says he cares for others,
One who says he came to save the lost.
How can we believe that he saves others'
When he can't get of that bloody cross.
Let him save himself! Let him come down now!”-
Savage jeering at the king's disgrace.
But by hanging there is precisely how
Christ saves other as King of grace.
Draped in darkness, utterly rejected.
Crying, “Why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus bears God's wrath alone, dejected--
Weeps the bitt'rest tears instead of me.
All the mockers cry, “He has lost his trust!
He's defeated by hypocrisy!”
But with faith's resolve, Jesus knows he must
Do God's will and swallow death for me.
Well, I have copied this out, and in doing so was humbled even more by God's grace. What are your thoughts?
In Love
Phil
The Author is D.A Carson, The book is based on 5 talks he gave at MarsHill Church Seattle (Mark Driscoll).
The first chapter (based on Matthew 27:27-51a) is on the mocking of Christ in His final Hours by Roman guards and those at the scene of the crucifixion. First of all the deep irony of the mocking Roman guards, dressing Jesus up as a King and taunting Him. Of course, the irony of this is, that, Jesus really is the one true King something they did not realise in their taunts and the same goes for those mocking at the crucifixion.
This is the last part of the Chapter and I love it … just thought I would share with you.
- The man who is mocked as King ---- is King
- The man who is utterly powerless---- is Powerful
- The man who can't save Himself----- saves others
- The man who cries out to God--------Trusts God
Followed by this poem.
On that wretched day the soldiers mocked him,
Raucous laughter in a barracks room,
“Hail the King!” they sneered, while spitting on him,
Brutal beatings on this day of gloom.
Though his crown was thorn, he was born a King -
Holy brilliance bathed in bleeding loss-
All the soldiers blind to this stunning theme:
Jesus reigning from a cursed cross.
Awful weakness mars the battered God-man,
Far too broken to hoist the beam,
Soldiers strip him bare and pound the nails in,
watch him hanging on the cruel tree.
God's own temple's down! He has been destroyed!
Death's remains are laid in rock and sod.
But the temple rises in God's wise ploy:
Our great temple is the son of God.
“Here's the One who says he cares for others,
One who says he came to save the lost.
How can we believe that he saves others'
When he can't get of that bloody cross.
Let him save himself! Let him come down now!”-
Savage jeering at the king's disgrace.
But by hanging there is precisely how
Christ saves other as King of grace.
Draped in darkness, utterly rejected.
Crying, “Why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus bears God's wrath alone, dejected--
Weeps the bitt'rest tears instead of me.
All the mockers cry, “He has lost his trust!
He's defeated by hypocrisy!”
But with faith's resolve, Jesus knows he must
Do God's will and swallow death for me.
Well, I have copied this out, and in doing so was humbled even more by God's grace. What are your thoughts?
In Love
Phil
