4/6/12 The Humility of Christ's Death

45- 4/6- WLC- 49

Q. 49. How did Christ humble himself in his death?
A. Christ humbled himself in his death, in that having been betrayed by Judas, forsaken by his disciples, scorned and rejected by the world, condemned by Pilate, and tormented by his persecutors; having also conflicted with the terrors of death, and the powers of darkness, felt and bore the weight of God's wrath, he laid down his life an offering for sin, enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the cross.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8)

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Col. 1:20)

Thoughts: Christ wept in Gethsemane as he foresaw His humiliation and pain.  The catechism, while mentioning it, does not emphasize the physical pain of Christ as much as the spiritual pain of being left alone, mocked and persecuted, terrorized by his enemies and the “powers of darkness”, and feeling separated from God and forsaken by Him.  Yet the catechism reminds us that Christ gave His life freely enduring the physical pain as well as the shame and curse.

Prayer: I will cling to your cross, Lord.  Your humility is my hope.  Help me to crucify my selfishness and give myself fully to you. 

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.
(Isaac Watts)

(Tintoretto 1565- emphasizes the chaos, mocking, persecution of the cross)