During this Easter season as we are reminded again of the sufferings of Christ on the Cross, we need to consider the question:

Who is responsible for the sufferings of Christ? As we read the Gospel narratives (stories), or as we see the crucifixion of our Saviour depicted (shown) by 'The Passion of the Christ" film, we have to ask the question: Who killed Jesus?

1. Do we blame the Roman soldiers? Certainly they crucified Him.

2. Surely though it was the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who was responsible? He alone had the power to enforce the death penalty, it was he who, as a magistrate of the Roman Empire,
declared: "… I cannot find any reason to condemn Him (Jesus)." (John 19 : 4 + 6) Yet, Pilate bowed to pressure and condemned an innocent man for political expediency and popularity. It was a meaningless gesture (action) for him to publicly "wash his hands" and declare: "I am not responsible for the death of this man! This is your doing!" (Matthew 27 : 24) How hypocritical! He was the Roman governor. As the highest magistrate in the land he had declared: "… I have not found Him (Jesus) guilty of any of the crimes you accuse Him of. Nor did Herod find Him guilty, for he sent Him back to us. There is nothing this man has done to deserve death." (Luke 23 : 14 - 15) "Condemning the innocent or letting the wicked go—both are hateful to the LORD." (Proverbs 17 : 15)

3. But what about the mob of people in the streets? They were the ones who pressured Pontius Pilate to condemn the Lord to death. "We have no king but Caesar!" they cried. "Release Barabbas!" "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" was their demand. "Let the punishment for His death fall on us and our children!" (Matt. 27 : 25)

4. However, it was the religious leaders (Pharisees) who initiated (started) the arrest and trial of Jesus. It was the religious leaders who incited (stirred up) the mob to scream for Barabbas to be released and Christ to be crucified. (Matthew 26 : 3; Luke 22 : 3—4; John 7 : 32) "At that time a man named Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder in the riot. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask, instead, for Pilate to set Barabbas free for them." (Mark 15 : 7, 11) "But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices that Jesus should be crucified and finally their shouting succeeded. So Pilate passed the sentence on Jesus that they were asking for. He set free the man they wanted, the one who had been put in prison for riot and murder and he handed Jesus over for them to do as they wished." (Luke 23 : 23—25) "Do not follow the majority (big crowd of people) when they do wrong or when they give evidence that perverts (twists) justice." (Exodus 23 : 2)

5. Of course, it was Judas who betrayed Christ - for mere silver. Judas was one of the Lord's trusted twelve disciples, the treasurer, but he became a traitor. It has been common for Hollywood productions to deal very sympathetically with Judas, but the Bible is clear that Judas was greedy (Matthew 26 : 14—15); treacherous (Luke 22 : 47—48); dishonest and hypocritical (John 12 : 5—6). The Bible states clearly that Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ. (Matthew 10 : 4) Judas asked the Chief priests: "What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?" (Matthew 26 : 14) The Bible records that the Chief priests were "delighted" at Judas's treachery (Mark 14 : 10). Although Judas was the treasurer of the twelve, and feigned (pretended) concern for the poor, the Bible reveals that, in fact, Judas was a thief, stealing from the funds of the Lord Himself (John 12 : 4—6). Far from Judas being a well-meaning victim of circumstances, the Bible is quite clear that he was a malicious traitor. John's Gospel plainly states: "… satan entered him. (Judas)." (John 13 : 27). Jesus was betrayed by Judas.

6. Yet, was it not God's will that Christ suffer and die on the cross? In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed: "Father, if You will, take this cup of suffering away from Me. Not My will, however, but Your will be done." (Luke 22 : 42).

7. However, we also need to ask whether it was not the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who was responsible for His own death? As our Lord declared: "I know My sheep and they know Me. And I am willing to die for them. … No one takes My life away from Me. I give it up of My free will, I have the right to give it up and I have the right to take it back. ..." (John 10 : 15—18) Our Lord Jesus was not a victim or a martyr, He was a willing sacrifice - an Atonement - for our sins.

8. So, in the final analysis, was it not your sin and my sin that was responsible for the sufferings and the atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ? It was for my sins that He suffered and died.

Read Isaiah 53 : 5 - 12

Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5 : 6—8); our sin offering (Romans 8 : 3); our atonement (Romans 3 : 25). When Christ, the perfect Son of God, a Lamb without spot or blemish (bruise) (1 Peter 1 : 19) shed His precious blood on the cross it was a substitutionary death. He died for us in our place (1 Peter 3 : 18), the innocent for the guilty, the just in the place of the unjust.

He became like us -
that we might become like Him.
He was rejected -
that we might be accepted.
He was condemned -
that we might be forgiven.
He was punished -
that we might be pardoned.
He suffered -
that we might be strengthened.
He was whipped -
that we might be healed.
He was hated -
that we might be loved.
He was crucified -
that we might be justified.
He was tortured -
that we might be comforted.
He died -
that we might live.
He went to hell -
that we might go to heaven.
He endured what we deserve -
that we might enjoy what only He deserves.

"This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven." (1 John 4 : 10). God is a Holy God and His righteous standards are seen in His law. We are sinful and need to repent (turn away) from our wickedness (sin) and place (put) our trust in Christ. Have you acknowledged your sins? Jesus died for you. Are you living for Him?

(This article is adapted from a chapter in Practical Discipleship. Dr. Peter Hammond, Africa Christian Action.
Email: info@christianaction.org.za)
(Email from Stanley Benjamin (H) of Pretoria has been shortened - many thanks. Eds.)