In Matthew's Steps: Christ's Climax

The First Steps: Read: Matthew 27

Focus Verse: Now when the centurion and those with him who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, "Truly this man was God's Son!" Matthew 27:54

Meditation: Christ's Climax
Stories, we learn in school, have certain elements to them. There is the introduction, the beginning of the story in which the characters are introduced. There is the leading action in which the main character is developed and the climax of the story is foreshadowed. This builds into the climax of the story, the point to which everything has been leading. Finally... the story ends with what is called a denoument, where the remaining threads of the narrative are wrapped up and a new narrative may be introduced.

Christ's story takes on the same shape. In Matthew, Jesus is introduced as the one who will save Israel. The magi reinforce this with his gifts, which include symbols of power, wealth, and death. Throughout Jesus ministry, he continually refers to his own suffering and death, something he believes is necessary for the Son of Man. He walks straight into Jerusalem as the story increases its pace until Christ meets his climatic end on the cross as the centurion declares: "Truly, this man was God's Son!"

Without this climax, Christ makes no sense. There is nothing particularly unique about Christ's teaching. Nothing that other teachers haven't said. There is nothing special about his life or his miracles. Other prophets have lived this way. But Christ's death is unique. Very unique. Jesus' whole life led up to his suffering and death on the cross. Here we see the fulfillment of everything that was ever said of the Messiah. Here is the climax of Creation. And the redemption that Christ brings, a redemption that even we, two thousand years later, is not possible without this ending. Without the climax, Christ means nothing. Without Christ on the cross, his teachings are meaningless words and useless presuppositions, but through the cross, they are life! And they are from God!

Here at the end of his life we see everything come together! The kingdom of heaven that Jesus has been announcing and speaking to is now tested. Jesus' kingship is challenged, once by Pilate "Are you the King of the Jews?". Once by the soldiers: "Hail, King of the Jews!" Once by the sign over his head: "This is Jesus, the King of the Kews." And once by the chief priests and scribes: "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him." The persecution promised to the faithful now falls squarely on Jesus' shoulders, as those around him desert him, his own people turn on him, and painful suffering overcomes his body.

We might wonder why Jesus had to suffer this way. Why would this be the destiny of the Son of God? But the truth is... it's all built up to this point! Jesus death does what no other sacrifice could do. It atones for our sins. But Jesus' death on the cross does other things too. It paves the way for the kingdom of God. It places God's presence directly in the center of suffering. It shows us the price one must pay for the kingdom of God to come.

Jesus' death does other things too...for you. Each of us who have heard this story, sometimes more than once, who have walked Jesus' footsteps as he makes his way to the cross, take something else from this event.

Perhaps you hear the love Christ has one the cross. Perhaps you can relate to the insults hurled at him by his people. Perhaps you have felt like you were on trial. Or perhaps you have suffered unjustly for doing right. Perhaps Christ's death reminds you that you are truly forgiven. Or perhaps it's about a New Beginning... a New Creation.

However this story touches you, Christ's death is indeed the climax of his life here on earth. For nothing he did or said makes any sense without it. Amen.

Questions to Ponder...
1) Look back through Matthew sometime. How often does Jesus foreshadow his own suffering and death? At what point do you think Jesus' comes to this realization of his climax?
2) Does Jesus' death make you uncomfortable? Why or why not?
3) What does Jesus' death on the cross mean for you?

A Prayer to Pray...
We thank you, Heavenly Father, for sending your Son whose destiny was the cross. We pray as we walk through life that you would remind us of his atoning sacrifice for our sins and lead us to walk in his footsteps, through our crucified and risen Lord's name. Amen.