Know Not

During this Lent season, my church has started a really awesome series on the last words of Jesus. I've appreciated having the opportunity to delve deeper into the meaning of these words and stories that I find I often glance at and quickly move on. Last week's "last words" really stood out to me, and so I wanted to share:

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Luke 23:32-38 ESV

In this scene where Christ is being hung in agony, the extreme cost of our sin is blatantly apparent. It is likely that many of the people mocking him do not even entertain the idea that Jesus could be the Messiah; however, they still acknowledge the claim as a possibility by challenging Christ to prove it by saving himself. With this knowledge that Christ may be the Messiah, they still decide to deride him. Christ's response suggests that they do this because although they may have an inkling of who he is, they do not have a full understanding of the meaning of the crucifixion and Jesus's true identity as the Messiah. 

The big thing that stuck out here for me was this: How much do I really appreciate the weight of my own sin? When I knowingly disobey the Lord without a second thought, does that not demonstrate that perhaps I do not fully grasp the cost of my sin? And even if I feel I understand the pain of crucifixion, do I understand the pain of bearing the full wrath of God as Christ did? When I sin casually, am I not being flippant with something extremely heavy and serious? Too much of this line of thinking can certainly get me to a place where I find it difficult to accept the mercy of the Lord, but I feel that only by attempting to comprehend the full weight of our sin can we truly understand the full glory of the Lord. 

Lent is the perfect time to do such a thing. My main challenge for myself during this Lent season is to "know what I do" - to try to full grasp the depth of my brokenness so that I can better understand the fullness I have in Christ. As we think about things that we're giving up for Lent, I challenge us all to have this realization be the central focus! 

And! My friend Paul made a new mixtape! They are always great, so I wanted to share here!