On April 15, 1865, family, physicians, and government officials crowded around the bedside of US President Abraham Lincoln. He was unconscious and close to death from an assassin’s fatal bullet.
After Lincoln took his last breath, those keeping vigil stood in silence. Shock and sadness left them speechless. After several minutes, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton reportedly broke the silence with these famous words, “Now he belongs to the ages.”
The gospel of Mark records that after Jesus cried out to His heavenly Father and breathed His last, the Roman officer (who was in charge of overseeing the execution) was so moved by all he witnessed that he declared, “Surely this man was innocent” (Luke 23:47).
Unlike Lincoln’s death, it wasn’t just the fact that Jesus died that deeply touched the officer. It was watching how He died.
Jesus didn’t retaliate against His executioners. He didn’t hurl insults back at the Jewish leaders who scoffed at Him or at the passersby who shook their fists at Him (Mark 15:29). He didn’t respond in kind to the soldiers who mocked Him or gambled for His clothing (Luke 23:34). He didn’t fight evil for evil. Instead, Jesus quietly endured their relentless abuse. And when He did speak, He blessed and prayed for those who persecuted Him—“Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). He even showed mercy and reassured the repentant criminal who was executed next to Him (Luke 23:40-43).
No wonder this Roman officer was moved to say what he did!
The way Jesus died reflects the way He lived. And He calls us to live (and possibly die) in the same way, working for and anticipating that day when He will return and once and for all put everything right.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 17:1-24
More:
Read Mark 15:39 and consider some additional words from the Roman officer.
Next:
What touches you the most about the way Jesus died? How does His selfless sacrifice affect the way you serve Him and others?
Gary Shultz on April 18, 2014 at 6:55 am
Great insight. His lesson of love should never stop being caught and taught.
Gene on April 18, 2014 at 7:27 am
What touches me, Jeff, is that at any moment Jesus could have been rescued by over twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). That’s at least 72,000! I also think of that great Dallas Holm song, “Rise Again.” It starts off, “Go ahead, drive the nails in My hands, laugh at me where you stand.” Jesus allowed all of this to happen so that Scripture would be fulfilled and ultimately pay the price for our sins …and then rise again. This is what I want to share with others.
Jeff Olson on April 18, 2014 at 9:28 am
Amen Gary! Catching Jesus’ lessons of love is what following Him is all about.
Gene, that song Rise Again is one of my all time favorites! Will be singing it through the weekend.
street on April 18, 2014 at 12:16 pm
9 The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.
I think it amusing that they planned a death of the One Who could raise the dead to life.
Winn Collier on April 24, 2014 at 2:53 pm
I’m continually stunned – and challenged – by Jesus’ constant willingness to lay down his power, his ‘divine prerogatives.” I rarely want to give up my last slice of pizza.