"He can't save himself!" (Joy in the Journey)

“He saved others but he can’t save himself!” It was an insult hurled at a dying man, hung between two criminals. A man who had healed the sick and raised the dead, who had forgiven sins and restored people into life with God. A man who had multiplied fish and bread and fed multitudes, who had walked the waves and stilled the storm. And now he was nailed to a tree.

‘Yes, he saved others, but just look at him - utterly helpless, a pathetic and powerless sight. A worm of a man. If he was to come down now, from the throes of death, we’d be sure to believe in him. But he can’t. He’s a fake and he’s history.’

If there was anything Jesus was still capable of as he hung there it was to save himself. He lacked no power, no status - however hidden those might be from his tormentors. One word from his lips and legions of angels would be deployed to release him. His abusers have got it badly wrong.

His remaining on the cross is not because of any inability on his part; it is entirely due to his determination to provide the one true sacrifice for sins and rescue multitudes from death. It is love that holds him there, not limitation. He endures the cross, despising its shame, that he might enter the joy that was set before him - the limitless joy of honouring his Father and saving his fallen creation.

When it comes to interpreting the ways of God and the truth before our eyes, fallen and sinful humanity are at a distinct disadvantage. “It was for us he hung and suffered there”, not because of any lack in himself.

And those who got that wrong continued to err. They add, “He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him.” Rescued he will be; and wanted he most certainly is - loved eternally by his Father! And so the Father will raise him to life, not allowing his Holy One to see decay. But it will be after all is finished and salvation achieved. It will be when death has been overcome and Satan defeated, when the barrier to life has been lifted and the prisoners' chains loosed.

Good Friday demands a different perspective, a renewed sight, a clarified vision. Its treasures are not discerned except by divine illumination. To unaided human reason it is simply a tragedy that could have been avoided if compromise had been sought, but now there was no way back. But when, by the Spirit’s energies our inner eyes are opened and our hearts humbled, the scene before us is transformed.

We see, then, that this is no avoidable tragedy, nor is it violent human might proving itself right. Here, rather, is love vast as the ocean, loving-kindness as the flood - the Prince of Life laying down his life as a ransom for us, the just for the unjust, to bring us back to God.

That Spirit-given sight can dissolve our hearts in thankfulness and melt our eyes to tears - tears of deepest, wondering joy.

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Alas! and did my Saviour bleed

And did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For such a worm as I?

Was it for crimes that I had done,

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,

And shut its glories in,

When God, the mighty Maker, died

For man, the creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face

While His dear cross appears;

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,

And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay

The debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give myself away;

'Tis all that I can do.

(Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)