Every story has a climax.
It’s the major conflict of the story.
The whole story builds toward it; everything in the story is pointing
toward this single event.
The crucifixion is the climax of the four gospels. It is the event that each of the four writers
emphasize. The crucifixion and
resurrection are what matters to their minds.
There are many events and stories and teachings through the life of
Jesus, but the most important event, without question, is the crucifixion.
When we’ve read it 100 times it loses its significance. I have a hard time really paying attention to
it while I read. I glance over it,
hardly remembering it.
Yet if Christianity is true, it’s because of Jesus. And if Jesus matters, his death and coming
back to life matters, as the climax to our story.
Here’s something that stood out as I read this time:
Jesus was taunted by the religious leaders, by the people,
and by the thieves:
- You saved others. Can’t you save yourself?
- Come down from that cross if you really are the Son of God.
Both gave the same challenge: Come down from your cross.
He is the irony of it: The whole point was for Jesus to go
up on the cross.
He didn’t come just to teach moral lessons and do miracles
to help people and amaze the crowds.
He didn’t come just to serve humanity and demonstrate the “grace
and truth” of God.
He came to endure a crucifixion. To die.
To win over death.
We have various theologies to try to explain it.
- His death was the sacrificial punishment for our sins.
- He paid the penalty for our guilt.
- His resurrection was a victory over death and evil.
True, but I suspect we’re only scratching the surface. Just as the people of the day didn’t
understand what was happening, I suspect we still barely understand in
retrospect. Something great, something
cosmic, something good, something necessary for God was happening.
His death and his coming back to life is the pinnacle. Of the gospel stories, of the Bible, and of
history. It matters.
