An Enduring Easter

Why had those torturing Christ dished him out punishments measurably more severe than to thieves dying alongside? It was Pilate's sentence he be lashed; yet additionally, soldiers hit Jesus, pressed a thorny "crown" into his skin, and dressed him in kingly fashion for their mockery. Capping it off, Pilate had a sign made which said "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"—he would deter their future Messiah "rejects" being brought forward. He placed the sign atop Christ's cross; there followed loud complaint from offended Jews. His soldiers had showed they had full rage against this craftsman Jesus—a Jewish "everyman" to be ridiculed and destroyed here. They were reacting in their perceived rejection and despising by the public, as overseers and strangers in the Jewish land. Taunts at Jesus were to come also from some countrymen having rabbinic wrath. But that offense near the cross never deterred Jesus from the mission or his receiving love from dear ones near. On high from that cross, Jesus Christ prayed out parts of the ancient priestly psalms. He surely was prophet, priest and king during this deadly ordeal. He discussed dying and the Father's forgiveness of those around; he gave hope to a co-fated thief dying with his faith; he appointed there that John be superintending his mother's affairs. The Heavenly Father would be answering in darkness and loud tumultuous sky, and in a following earthquake wherein ancients would arise from graves. We take this as forgiveness and token that we, too, shall arise forever righteous in Him. Does this not add hope to the songs we sing telling Jesus was stricken and made penalty for our sin?