The Crucified Messiah (Passion Sunday)

The trial, the torture, the sentence, and the handing over to be crucified appear scandalous and unjust. But in every moment leading up to the cross, Jesus shows incredible love and shows how far Jesus will go for humanity.

Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus is not passive. He doesn’t pray or weep in the garden. He carries the cross himself. Throughout the journey to his death, Jesus is in control.

Foundational to understanding Jesus as the Christ is Jesus’ sacrificial love. Our faith is founded on Jesus’ willingness to suffer and die on the cross.

The cross is Jesus’ most significant human experience. God exalts Jesus in this act, and it is where Jesus is lifted up and glorified.

Jesus is the gift of truth and fulfills what no human could accomplish. He puts in place a permanent, new covenant open to all humankind by his very death.

Jesus’ death is not a low point or a failure. It is Jesus taking on the suffering and sin of the world to bring goodness and glory to the world.

In John’s Gospel, the focus of the crucifixion is not Jesus’ suffering on the cross. It is the ironic, final proclamation of Jesus as King, as Pilate puts above Jesus’ head.

This is no traditional, conventional Messiah. This is a King that this world doesn’t understand. The world expected a prophet like Moses or a king like David. Yet the inscription names that Jesus is the one, true King of the world.

The Passion and inscription present Jesus as the Son of Man and Son of God. Despite humanity’s rejection, the cross is where our King becomes the one, ultimate redeemer who atones all sin for all time.