While initially shocked by the violence in the movie, I had to ask myself why
Christ had to endure such punishment. Why not just the cross? Why the scourging, the beatings, the humiliation? It's easy to say Christ died for our sins, but what does that really mean?
Satan has power over death. Why? Because God is holy and just. A single sin without Christ is a death sentence at the hands of God. Satan knows this and exploits it with us every day. Ironic that Satan's greatest weapon is God's holiness.
If, on judgement day there were no man that could say he lived a perfect life without sin, God would either have to lower the bar for all, or condemn all of humanity. In either case, Satan wins.
Christ came to earth with a full appreciation for what was at stake. The punishment he endured was the full wrath of Satan to get him to sin. In order for Him to be a worthy sacrifice for the sins of humanity he needed to endure whatever any other man might endure at the hands of the devil. Remember, all Satan needed to do was get Jesus to think one sinful thought.
So when the Roman soldiers had Christ strapped to the stump and they were delivering the brutal, horrific scourging, who do you think was in control? The soldiers? No. They were being tempted and egged on by Satan. Was Satan in control? Obviously not. Jesus never lost focus and despite Satan's best efforts, committed no sin. Not one evil thought. So the only one in control during that and ensuing scenes on Golgotha was our most worthy hero and savior, Jesus Christ. He endured, not because he was forced to; He endured because He accepted that He must. Throughout the movie, throughout the real life events that took place 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ proved that He was always in control. Jesus demonstrated for all to see that through Him, Satan can be defeated. This is why every believing Christian should go back and see the movie again. This time cheering on Jesus Christ for enduring the full extent of Satan's wrath so that we would never have to endure the holy wrath of God. Instead, at the end of time, Jesus will stand as a witness to our righteousness in Him before God and we will stand as faithful witnesses to his absolute worth as our glorious and righteous King. Amen.
Christ had to endure such punishment. Why not just the cross? Why the scourging, the beatings, the humiliation? It's easy to say Christ died for our sins, but what does that really mean?
Satan has power over death. Why? Because God is holy and just. A single sin without Christ is a death sentence at the hands of God. Satan knows this and exploits it with us every day. Ironic that Satan's greatest weapon is God's holiness.
If, on judgement day there were no man that could say he lived a perfect life without sin, God would either have to lower the bar for all, or condemn all of humanity. In either case, Satan wins.
Christ came to earth with a full appreciation for what was at stake. The punishment he endured was the full wrath of Satan to get him to sin. In order for Him to be a worthy sacrifice for the sins of humanity he needed to endure whatever any other man might endure at the hands of the devil. Remember, all Satan needed to do was get Jesus to think one sinful thought.
So when the Roman soldiers had Christ strapped to the stump and they were delivering the brutal, horrific scourging, who do you think was in control? The soldiers? No. They were being tempted and egged on by Satan. Was Satan in control? Obviously not. Jesus never lost focus and despite Satan's best efforts, committed no sin. Not one evil thought. So the only one in control during that and ensuing scenes on Golgotha was our most worthy hero and savior, Jesus Christ. He endured, not because he was forced to; He endured because He accepted that He must. Throughout the movie, throughout the real life events that took place 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ proved that He was always in control. Jesus demonstrated for all to see that through Him, Satan can be defeated. This is why every believing Christian should go back and see the movie again. This time cheering on Jesus Christ for enduring the full extent of Satan's wrath so that we would never have to endure the holy wrath of God. Instead, at the end of time, Jesus will stand as a witness to our righteousness in Him before God and we will stand as faithful witnesses to his absolute worth as our glorious and righteous King. Amen.
