The Way It Should Be

Just this past week, one of our daughters asked why Maine’s state slogan is the way life should be. My wife tried to explain that Maine life was not meant to be hurried while overlooking all the beauty around us. Instead, we should experience it and appreciate it fully.

Sometimes there are situations and events in our lives that cause us to question and wonder if that’s really the way it is supposed to be. Sometimes, it is hard to accept the consequences of Adam’s sin, but I am convinced that God always works things to be the way they should be for His honor and glory. I can’t explain logically; yet, I can trust God implicitly.

The events this last week of Christ’s earthy life had looked like total absurdity and beyond belief were now shaping to be what appeared to be the worst tragedy ever to be witnessed. What happens in these final hours is what will change the course of many lives.

In God’s plans, what may look so wrong is simply the way it should be.

Final Hours with Jesus - 23:44-46

Luke 23:44–46 NASB95

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

Luke 23:44–46 NASB95

Sometimes we may feel as if the Bible accounts of the time of day are almost as confusing as military time. Quite simply, the Jewish way of telling time means that this darkness happened about Noon and continued through 3 PM. Contained within these two verses, are a couple of amazing events. First, is the darkness; second, the tearing of the temple veil or curtain.

Sometimes we may feel as if the Bible accounts of the time of day are almost as confusing as military time. Quite simply, the Jewish way of telling time means that this happened about Noon and continued through 3 PM. Contained within these verse two verses, are a couple of amazing events. First, is the darkness; second, the tearing of the temple veil or curtain.

Let’s look first at the total darkness. Scientists cannot find any evidence of an eclipse that occurred during that time. Since Passover always has a full moon, an eclipse is impossible. It’s as if God turned off a switch and caused this darkness, making such an impact that Luke wrote it down in his Gospel. Remember that Luke got this information from eyewitnesses and was moved by the Holy Spirit to record it. We also know that quite frequently in the Old Testament, God’s judgment on His people was often connected with unexplainable darkness.

What might be significant about this darkness? If we are to connect this with God’s judgment, it would make sense that His judgment would be leveled against Jesus Christ, Who was now responsible for the sins of all who would choose salvation. John MacArthur words it this way: Infinite wrath moved by infinite righteousness released infinite punishment on the Son.

Luke also describes the tearing of the curtain. This was a very heavy curtain which was made up of multiple layers of fabric which was folded on itself. For this to naturally occur or for someone to have physically done this would have been impossible. Obviously, we can assume that this was another supernatural event. Some would suggest this is a fairy tale. However, Matthew relates this to the fact that there was an earthquake at the same time, which left the holy of holies exposed for everyone to see. That would not have been possible if the curtain would have been the way it was supposed to be, as one unit. However, everyone had it opened before them, symbolizing that which was designed to keep people out, now allowed access to the very presence of God.

It is also helpful to our understanding to realize that this curtain event took place immediately after the darkness was finished. In this short section of Scripture, an eternal 3 hours was taking place. Matthew tells us that the curtain was torn from top to bottom. Something which should not have happened normally based upon the world as we know it. This was revealing that the purchase of our salvation was complete. Everything involved with the temple worship was no longer necessary since Jesus had taken care of everything.

We have talked before about those who thought they were in control but really were merely fulfilling Scripture. Jesus is seen as being fully in control even in verse 46, by the fact that He was the One Who committed His spirit to the Father. The Greek work for commit refers to commit to safekeeping. This phrase was actually used in a Jewish child’s bedtime prayer. That is not unlike a prayer that many parents teach their children today: Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And if I die before I wake; I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Followers Observation of Jesus - 23:47-49

Luke 23:47–49 NASB95

Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.” And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts. And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.

The centurion was actually the one in charge of all the soldiers who were involved in the physical part of the crucifixion. Interestingly, he was so moved that he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.” Some translations refer to the soldier’s description as the fact that Jesus was righteous. Isn’t that interesting? Government officials all declared Jesus to be innocent. Pilate had already declared Jesus innocent four times before this.

In the centurion’s response, it seems obvious that he was convinced beyond any doubt that Jesus was Who He said He was. All that they had observed was unlike anything these hardened soldiers had ever experienced. The centurion had observed Jesus’ absolute control of the whole situation, in particular, His death, as beyond anything human. So, we we look at his response, it seems that the centurion was fully in agreement that Jesus, being the Son of God, was completely righteous. Isn’t it amazing to think that amongst the first people who came to salvation, they were hardened Roman soldiers?

We then see that everyone who had come as spectators began to leave. It appears that they were beating their chests as if in extreme sadness and possibly guilt and fear. It is hard to imagine the emotional state of this crowd. They started out less than a week earlier, shouting the praises of God for Jesus. Then many were manipulated by the religious leaders to have Him crucified. Now they had been right there in the midst of the mob mentality watching. What they saw must have been incredibly moving and convicting. But what would they actually do about it?

ting? Government officials all declared Jesus to be innocent. Pilate had already declared Jesus innocent four times before this.

However, those who were close to Him, including women from Galilee, stood back, a distance away. These must have felt incredible loss. How difficult it must have been to see all this taking place with One Whom they loved so much. Recognizing that He is the Son of God, it must have seemed like the entirety of their world had been turned inside out. Nothing was making any sense to them at that moment. It definitely did not seem like this was the way it should be.

Friends Honoring of Jesus - 23:50-56

Luke 23:50-56

Luke 23:50–56 NASB95

And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Luke 23:50-56

As we look at these last verses in chapter 23, I want us to understand that as much of the supernatural had occurred earlier on the cross, the burial aspect had the divine hand of God upon it just as well.

We know that God accomplishes His purposes in His own ways. He can easily do so by the miraculous. He does this by overriding the laws of nature which He designed anyway. Our response is often accompanied by a jaw-dropping loud explanation of WOW!

Another means of God accomplishing His purposes is seen in what we would call God’s providence. Here, we do not see the miraculous in the events. God simply takes the situations as they are and puts them all together the way He desires and His purposes are accomplished. All the attitudes and choices which we make, God uses for His glory. All that His creation chooses to do, God is able to work together to cause the result which He wants. When you think about it, I consider that an amazing miracle that almost outshines the unexplainable awesome events.

As one reads the Bible, it becomes increasingly evident that history is a matter of God working through people to accomplish His purposes.

shouldHe desires and His purposes are accomplished. All the attitudes and choices which we make, God uses for His glory. All that His creation chooses to do, God is able to work together to cause the result which He wants. When you think about it, I consider that an amazing miracle that almost outshines the unexplainable awesome events.

You recall last time that the religious leaders were doing all they could to try to dishonor Jesus. Even Roman tradition was that condemned criminals no longer had the right to a proper burial. However, God had two honorable men that made sure there was a decent burial. Luke tells us about Joseph of Arimathea. tells us also of Nicodemus, of whom we know from the nighttime quiz about the new birth in .

As one reads the Bible, it becomes increasingly evident that history is a matter of God working through people to accomplish His purposes.

Some may wonder about the apparent contradiction here; if all those on the council voted to condemn Jesus, why does it appear that Joseph (& Nicodemus) did not consent? The obvious answer is that they were probably not even there. Joseph’s location is 20 miles away from Jerusalem. So it appears that Joseph had no part in the dastardly deed done by the Sanhedrin.

However, it appears from that these two were individuals who probably actually studied the Old Testament. Thus, they were where God needed them to be right when He needed them to be there. I believe we can also glean a great deal of the character of Joseph from Luke’s description. He was described as a good and righteous man . . . waiting for the kingdom of God. We can easily assume that Joseph was a believer by this language. We can assume also that Joseph was a wealthy man and had some influence; he owned a burial place there and evidently was able to have a direct connection with Pilate, as he had requested for Jesus’ body.

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We can assume also that Joseph was a wealthy man and had some influence; he owned a burial place there and evidently was able to have a direct connection with Pilate, as he had requested for Jesus’ body.

Like many of us, we may have a tendency to be quiet and somewhat secretive in our faith. There is always the fear of the others who are full of animosity or even neutrality about the things of Christ. We don’t like to stir the waters so we keep a low and quiet profile. Yet, Joseph finally got to the point where his actions showed what kind of follower of Christ he truly was. When he went to Pilate, he was taking a great risk of hatred from the other Council members. Thus, he chose to show his faith by honoring Jesus and not allowing him the disgrace of being tossed in with the rest of the executed criminals.

Moved by God, Joseph proceeded to make known his faith. So, he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever laid. Again, we go back to , where he prophesied that Christ would die with the wicked and would be laid to rest with the rich. Jews normally buried criminals who were executed outside the city in a dump known as Gehenna. Joseph honored Jesus and went against the norm and gave Jesus and the family a sense of dignity. also reminds us that God would not allow His Holy One to experience decay.

The honor given is even greater than most of us realize. Though it was expensive to have a plot of ground to be buried in, the stone cave was even more expensive. Usually, the cave would have several places for a number of people to be placed upon death, making good use of the investment. Evidently, this was further evidence of how wealthy Joseph was as he donated his special sepulchre or cave for Christ’s burial, where no one had yet been laid.

You will recall that the ending of this period was around 3 PM. Now is the time to get Jesus down from the cross, wrapped, then placed in the cave. Passover Sabbath began at 6 PM, so there wasn’t any time to properly prepare Jesus with the long ritual. So they had to work with haste. Joseph most likely had some spices in the tomb and Nicodemus had probably brought some, and did what they could do take care of things.

The women went along and saw where Jesus was and were going home to prepare the rest and come back after the Sabbath. This short phrase also disproves the false theory that the women had gone to the wrong tomb when they couldn’t find Jesus’ body. They knew exactly where He was.

Final Thoughts

In the final hours on the cross, it certainly appeared to most that this was a major hiccup in God’s plan of salvation. Yet, we were reminded that even here, God was at work in ways so powerful and beyond human comprehension, that everything was going according to plan. It was just the way it should be.

We see those who were there observing and we wonder why many didn’t make some major changes in their lives. Yet, Luke clearly points out that while Christ was being crucified, dying on the cross, there was a centurion who was experiencing true life for the first time. We see others who were definitely pricked in their conscience and some who possibly would come to salvation later. But all who were there would never be the same.

We see that horrible hatred and dishonor that was given to Jesus and we cringe. Then we are reminded that God still moves even the quiet, the reserved, the fearful, to respond in obedience and bow the knee to Christ as they honor Him.

In God’s plans, what may look so wrong is simply the way it should be.

Regardless of what may be going on in your life, you can trust God implicitly. You may feel that this is not what you signed up for and want to fight against it. However, if you are a child of God, you can rest secure in Him knowing that from God’s perspective, wanting to shape you into the person of Christ that glorifies Him, this is the way it should be.

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