The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. (Matthew 26:63–64, NIV 1984).
My Musings – Some will claim that Jesus is a mythical figure, although contemporary historians disagree. Others will assert that He was a mere man, never claiming to be anyone greater, although the above text disagrees.
This exchange took place following His arrest. He knew the stakes were high. Earlier, Jesus “said to his disciples, ‘as you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.'” (Matthew 26:1–2, NIV 1984). If He was not who He claimed to be, this would be the time to disavow. Instead, “yes, it is as you say.”
Later on, He said to Pilate, the Roman Governor with the authority to have Him crucified, “you would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” (John 19:11, NIV 1984). Who “from above” would have “power over the Christ, the Son of God?” Only the Father.
“It was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, [to make] His life a guilt offering.” (Isaiah 53:10, NIV 1984). But not His guilt, for “He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9, NIV 1984). Why then was it God’s will? To “[bear] the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12, NIV 1984). We are all transgressors. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6, NIV 1984).
My Advice – Some will claim that there are other ways to “[make] intercession for the transgressors.” But if so, why would it be “the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer?” To spare His Son from being “led like a lamb to the slaughter.” (Isaiah 53:7, NIV 1984). To grant His Son’s request, “my Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39, NIV 1984).
There was no other way. No other means of intercession. We must take the way of the cross or die in our sins. Let’s take the way of the cross.
The Brew Is A Musing 