Are you sitting or standing at the cross?

I have long decided that Easter tipped the scale as a favorite Holiday for me.  As a young girl my church had an Easter Cantata, Easter sunrise service and breakfast.  I loved the "feeling" I got from all the Easter celebrations.  At the time I was not entirely clear on why this Holiday had such an impact on me.  Christmas was fun, had religious ceremonies, fun parties, traditions and family time and I loved that as well but for some reason Easter still felt more important.  I know some of you may be thinking what can be more important than the Birth of the Christ Child and while I agree for me something is more important and that is his death and the manner in which it occurred.

It wasn't until I was older did I figure out why it held such meaning.  The birth of Christ is all about Jesus his death is all about us.  What he went through on that cross, that was for you and I. 

What a shame that we go through our lives and often do not live as though someone gave their life for ours.  How selfless of HIM and how selfish of us.  We do not think of Mary and what she must have felt standing at the foot of the cross as her son is put to death.  I love my children immensely and cannot imagine being present in that moment.  

In church today I was overcome with emotion while singing these words;

Thank you for the cross ,Lord
Thank you for the price you paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
And gave Amazing grace.

I thought again about the tremendous sacrifice he gave for me.  It is no secret that we all know that he died on the cross for our sins but how does that impact you?  Does it stop us from sinning?  No we are not capable of that . Does it stop us from Shame?

Thank you for the scars Lord
Thank you for the nail- pierced hands.
Wash me in your cleansing flow. Now all I know….
Your forgiveness and embrace.

This is the moment I was overcome, Those scars from those nails those folks are for you and I.   Those scars or for the sins we continue to commit. He went through that pain so that we might live and he embraces us.

Worthy is the lamb, seated on the throne
We crown you now with many crowns
You reign victorious!
High and lifted up Jesus, son of man
The God of heaven, crucified
Worthy is the lamb.

I know that we look at ourselves and others through eyes of sin and not the purity that Jesus does but there are times I do not feel worthy of this kind of love and sacrifice.

The Bible tells us in Matthew 27:36

        And sitting down, they kept watch over him
(new international version)

(The new living translation tells us;)
        Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there.

(English standard)
        Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.

In Mark 15:24 the soldiers cast lots for his garments, but it does not speak of them sitting and watching.  Luke’s account tells that the people stood, and Johns account tells us that Mary HIS mother stood.

I know that the soldiers were ordered to guard Jesus carefully and though I understand that as custom, I wonder why the soldiers sat to keep their watch.

I thought about the crowd that was present standing and watching, doing what was the popular thing to do. Some of those saying Hosanna one day and crucify him the next.  I imagine some watched the nails being driven in to his hands and then went home to go about their day turning their backs when the excitement died.

I can imagine those who stood and moved on did not experience anything as powerful and personal as did the soldiers who sat still and watched the power of Jesus that caused them fear. 

Today there are still those who follow Jesus by standing around .
When things aren’t going well or life is not exciting they turn their backs on Jesus. 

However there are Christians who sit and experience Jesus every day.  They know of HIS amazing power and grace.  They realize the part they played in his death.  We know he died for us and it brings us sorrow and has us ask for forgiveness that our sins of the past, Present and future are forgiven.

Where are you today?  Are you sitting at the foot of the cross spending time with Jesus or are you simply standing in the crowd ready to walk away when the excitement is gone?