Bible Reading: Mark 15:6-15
“And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him”.” (Mark 15:12)
The passion story is the jewel of the Christian faith. It reflects the profound truths of this life and the absolute certainty of God and His plan for this world. One aspect of reality that the passion story reflects is the truth of our sins.
The people of Israel represented God’s people throughout the Old Testament. Throughout the Old Testament, we learn of the stubborn, stiff-necked nature of humankind who reject and disobey God over and over again. Yet, at the cross, we see the depth of what our sin truly is.
Our rebellion and sin against God go as far as to crucify Him on the cross. This is a profound truth that we must meditate on. Don’t take sin light-heartedly. Wrestle to grasp the real depravity of ourselves. Our love for this world, our love for ourselves, means Christ had to die on the cross. How often do we ponder on the truth of Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death”?
Our self-exalting heart means our crucifying of God. When we understand this truth, we will know of our desperate need for Christ because there is no way we can save ourselves from such sin. The more we know our sins, the more we will grow in the grace of the gospel.
We often fail to grasp the beauty and love of Christ because we fail to recognise the depravity of our state. The more we understand how sick we are, the more we can appreciate the doctor who heals us. The more we know the meaning of sin, the more the glory of Christ will shine brightly before our eyes.
Our generation does not take sin seriously. God’s holiness and wrath are no longer preached, and a sinful culture is openly welcomed by our churches. If there is no serious understanding of sin, there will be no serious understanding of grace.
This Easter, let us reread the passion story and meditate on what it meant that Jesus had to die. Let us ponder on who we are as sinners that put Christ on the cross. Only from here may we be able to see the love of God and His unending grace and mercy.
Lord, this Easter, let me come to know You and Your sacrifice on the cross even more. Prepare my heart and help me to understand the profound truths that You revealed to us when You came to this earth. Open my heart once again and crush my heart to realise the depravity of my sin so that I may see the glory and beauty of Your love. Lord, Your words are life; please give me life. In Jesus’ name, amen.