31 In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. 33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah." 36 And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." 37 Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son!" 40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.
Reflection
We tried to give him some relief from the pain. It wasn't uncommon at all to offer our medicine to someone being crucified on a cross. The sour wine or vinegar mixed with gall or perhaps some frankincense, and myrrh, would create a bitter drink that would help to ease the suffering, maybe even cause some confusion for the person so that their death wouldn’t be as cruel. But, this Jesus, he refused.
At first I thought he was going to have some. We told him it was sour wine, which could be used to quench thirst, but he wouldn’t have it. I think he may have wanted to feel the full force of the pain. Medicine is a good thing after all; there is nothing wrong with it when administered correctly and by the right people. Medicine is a gift from God! So why wouldn’t the man who said he was the Son of God take something-good created gift from God?
Then he cried out and breathed his last. I find it interesting that none of the accounts said that he died. He didn’t die of natural causes nor did he die from exhaustion. Jesus had a way to go yet. I think his death was a voluntary act. Jesus’ death was a death of his own choosing, because he delivered up his spirit. Jesus death surprised everyone. This was too soon, but boy the impact it had.
The reason for Jesus death seemed to become apparent to the centurion standing near-by. The soldier knew now that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus gave his life for the world on purpose. Jesus gave his life and breathed his last and felt the pain and suffering that all in this time, the times past and future times would know that God came to earth and saved God’s creation for all of us to give us new life and a new relationship with God based on gracious love.
Jesus showed gracious love that we might love him and love one another. With this I now have not been refused by Jesus but I am recreated something new. I am medicine used to heal the sick, ease the pain of the suffering. I am medicine to show the love of Jesus to all the people of this world especially when I am administer with the loving hands of one of Jesus’ disciples.
To Your Health,
Mary Medicine
Prayer
Jesus, you have given us all the medicine we need for life. Use us to distribute the Good Gifts of medicine to those in need through our hands and our dollars to your glory always. --- Amen
www.elca.org/goodgifts
No comments:
Post a Comment