Passion of the Christ
- Part 1 -

Angam Zaung Chiru *

Easter Sunday at MBC Church, Chingmeirong, Imphal :: April 8 2012 :: Pix - Banti Phurailatpam

It was beautiful fullmoon night. Our savior Jesus Christ along with his disciples slowly made his way to the garden of Gethsemane. The Passover moonlight broad and full shone from a clear cloudless sky. The City of pilgrims' tents was hushed into Silence. In fact, Jesus had been earnestly conversing with his disciples and instructing them; but as he neared Gethsemane He became strangely silent. Jesus had frequently visited this place for meditation and prayer; but never with a heart so full of mental or spiritual suffering as upon this particular night of his last sorrow. Throughout his 33 years life on planet earth, He had walked in the light of God's presence.

When in conflict with men who were inspired by the very spirit of Satan. He could say, "He that sent me is with Me; the father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him (Father)." John 8:29. But now he seemed to be shut out from the light of God's sustaining presence. Now Jesus was numbered with the sinners – transgressors. The guilt of fallen humanity Jesus must bear. Upon Him who knew no sin must be laid the iniquity of us all. So dreadful does sin appear to Him, so great is the weighed of guilt which Jesus must bear, that He is tempted to fear it will shut Him out forever from His Father's love. Feeling how terrible is the angry of God against transgression, He (Jesus) exclaims,

"My Soul is exceeding sorrowful,
even unto death."

As they approached the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples had marked the change that came over their master Jesus. Never before had they seen Him so utterly sad and silent. When Jesus proceeded, this strange sadness deepened; yet they dared not question Him as to the cause. His form swayed as if Jesus was about to fall-upon reaching the garden, the disciples looked anxiously for His usual place of retirement, that their master might rest and slumber. Every step that He (Jesus) now took was with labored effort.

Jesus groaned aloud, as if suffering under the pressure of a terrible burden. Twice His disciples supported Him, or Jesus would have fallen to the earth. Near the instance to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Christ left all but three of the disciples, bidding them pray for themselves and for Him. With Peter, James, and John, Jesus entered its secluded recesses. These three disciples were Christ's closest companions.

They had beheld His glory on the mount of transfiguration; they had seen Moses and Elijah talking with Him; they had heard the voice from heaven, from His father God, now in His great struggle, Jesus Christ desired their presence near Him. Often they had passed the night with Him in this retreat on these occasions, after a season of watching and prayer; they would sleep undisturbed at a little distance from their Master, until He awoke them in the morning to go forth anew to labor. But now Jesus wanted them to spend the night with Him in prayer. Yet Jesus could not bear the even they should witness the agony He was to endure

"Tarry ye here,"
Jesus said, "and watch with Me." Matt 26:38.

He went a little distance from them not so far but that they could both see and hear Him - and fell prostrate upon the ground. He felt that by sin He was being separated from His beloved Father. The gulf was so broad, so black, O deep that His spirit shuddered before it. This agony Jesus must not bring into used His divine power to escape. As man He must suffer the consequences of main's sin. When Jesus was here on earth, He was cent percent God, at the sometime cent percent is human being. As man He (Jesus) must endure the wrath of God against violation of God's law (transgression). Jesus Christ the son of living God as now standing in a different attitude from that in which He had ever stood before. His suffering can best be described in the words of the prophet,

"Awake, O sword,
against My shepherd
and against the man that is my fellow,
said the Lord of hosts." Zech. 13:7

As the substitute and surety for sinful man, Jesus was suffering under divine Justice. He saw what justice meant. Hitherto he had been as an intercessor for others, now He longed to have an intercessor for Himself. As Jesus felt His unity with the Father broken up, He feared that in His human nature Jesus would be unable to endure the coming conflict with the powers darkness. In the wilderness of Temptation the destiny of the human race had been at stake. Jesus Christ was then conqueror. Now the tempter had come for the last fearful struggle. For this He had been preparing during the three years of Christ's ministry.

Everything was at stake with him. If he failed here, his hope of mastery was lost; the kingdoms of world would finally become Christ's; he himself would be overthrown and Cast out. But if Jesus Christ could be overcome, the earth would become Satan's kingdom, and the human race would be forever in his power. With the issues of the conflict before Him, Christ's soul was filled with dread of separation from God. Satan told Him (Jesus) that if he became the surety for a sinful world, the separation would be eternal. He would be identified with Satan's kingdom, and would nevermore be one with God.

And what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of men! In its hardest features Satan Pressed the situation upon the Redeemer –Jesus. The people who claim to be above all others in temporal and spiritual advantages have rejected you. The conflict was terrible. Its measure was the guilt of His nation of His accusers and betrayer, the guilt of a world lying in wickedness.

The sins of men weighed heavily upon Jesus Christ, and the sense of God's wrath against sin was crushing out His life. Behold Jesus contemplating the price to be paid for the human soul. In Jesus agony He clings to the cold ground, as if to prevent Himself from being drawn farther from God. The chilling dew of night falls upon His prostrate form, but He heeds it not. From His pale lips comes the bitter cry,

"O My Father,
if it be possible,
let this cup pass from Me."
Yet even now He adds,
nevertheless not as I will,
but as thou wilt."

To be continued...