Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June 16/61

Contributor - H. T. Rozendaal

Title - Disturbed At The Cross

Topic - Easter

Luke 23:48: "Amid the multitudes which came together to this sight, when they saw the things that were done, returned smiting their breasts."

Here, in this little picture of the events connected with the Passion of Jesus, we get just a glimpse of the effect of seeing Jesus suffer on those who came to look on.

Seeing the suffering of the Lord produced a strong emotional disturbance in the heart and conscience of many. It was probably not the intention of Luke, when he wrote, to say that every one of the people went away beating their breasts. Certainly it was not true that the emotions -excited in all the people were the same. There were friends of Jesus there, and there were foes. There were those who mocked and there were those who wept. When all was over and they went away there were many of them who had felt and were feeling a deep disturbance within. That was why, as they walked along and thought they beat upon their breasts. Is it possible for us to press into the secrets of some of these and see what they experienced? Certainly their acts suggested deep disturbance and inner conflict.

We may be permitted to say that many returned from that scene with feelings of deep regret. As the women that followed along on the way to the cross wept, no doubt there were many of those who returned who wept. They had seen not only a crucifixion; but they had seen the crucifixion of one so different that He could pray for His persecutors; so different that He could speak with authority of sins forgiven; so different that, on the cross, He could call upon God and finally commit His soul to the care of the Lord without complaint; one so different that even the strange centurion called Him the Son of God. It was hard for them to see such a one crucified as a misdemeanor. And they went away deeply disturbed and regretting that among them such a thing could be possible.

But to others the deep emotional disturbance was probably more personal. Here they had seen one whom they had helped to condemn suffer. No doubt many of those people had been among the crowd that called out for His crucifixion that morning. No doubt, too, some of those who went away smiting their breasts had been among the mockers at the cross. Now He had been crucified in their presence showing such godlike characteristics that they felt themselves self condemned And it is not too much of a strain on the imagination to suppose that some of these were found amid the throng who, on Pentecost, found their peace again in confession of their sinfulness and true repentance. Thus Jesus suffering moved to repentance.

During the Passion season our eyes are constantly turned upon the suffering Savior. One phase after another of the suffering is brought into the light for us to look on from time to time. We too may be moved to a certain disturbance. It is possible too that we may speak of regret because of the fault of others which made this possible; and it may be that we're moved to repentance because of our fault which made it necessary. Which will it be for us? Is our view of the cross sufficiently clear and vivid to disturb us? And if it does is it clear enough to move us to repentance? Do we see ourselves as belonging to those who had Him crucified? And are we sorry? Do we, deep in our conscience, cry out "What shall we do?"

When the sight of the cross moves to sincere sorrow for sin, the cross will not have been in vain. Then the sorrow and grief of the Passion will bear rich fruit. And then there will be a joy when

Easter comes which is otherwise impossible.

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