Death with Dignity

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Opening Prayer

Loving Lord, You were obedient unto death, even death on a cross. I am humbled before Your costly sacrifice.

Read Matthew 27:45-56

^[45] From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ^[46] About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). ^[47] When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” ^[48] Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ^[49] The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” ^[50] And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. ^[51] At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ^[52] and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ^[53] They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. ^[54] When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” ^[55] Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. ^[56] Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Meditate

“Once again I look upon the cross where You died. I’m humbled by Your mercy and I’m broken inside. Once again I thank You, once again I pour out my life” (Matt Redman).

Think Further

Physical suffering and mockery do not take us to the depths of the cross. The cry of dereliction, coming at the end of three hours of unnatural darkness, takes us there. Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1 and for the first time does not call God “Father.” This was what he had most dreaded in Gethsemane: to be abandoned by the Father. He is drinking the cup to the last drop. The deepest work of atonement is achieved here. We may call God “Father” because of his loss of the Father on the cross.

All through Matthew’s account of the Passion, Jesus has demonstrated a remarkable dignity. It is as though he has been in control of these events, or rather that he was trusting absolutely that the Father was in control. This even continues through his time on the cross. Rather than weakening and fading into unconsciousness, like most victims of crucifixion, he retains enough strength to be able to give up his spirit. The work of atonement complete, he hands his life back to the Father (Luke 23:46). The coronation is complete. This is a death with dignity in the most shameful of circumstances.

The consequences are immediate and dramatic. The ransom has been paid (Matt. 20:28). Graves are opened in anticipation of the resurrection. The temple curtain is split in two because the source of forgiveness will no longer be found in the temple. It has shifted to the one who paid the price for sin. The promised new covenant, for the forgiveness of sins, is in place. Even the execution party, who have taken part in the mock coronation, are forced to reconsider. The true identity of the Son of God is revealed in the manner and the purpose of his death.

Apply

The consequences of sin are borne in the heart of the triune God. Ponder this profound truth before the Lord.

Closing prayer

I thank You, heavenly Father, that the Lord Jesus, the One without sin, accepted sin’s sting and bore it for me. I am forever grateful.

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