Often, artwork portrays the view of the cross. The cross is situated in the sense that we are looking in the direction of Jesus. One day, I imagined the viewpoint of what Jesus saw from the cross. He would have seen the crowds, many mocking Him with words. Jesus looked upon the soldiers who crucified Him, as well as the two thieves who were crucified on either side of Him. He saw His mother, Mary, as well as the beloved disciple named John. There were women in the crowd, followers of Jesus, who stayed close by. From studying the viewpoint from the perspective of Jesus, what can we learn from this position of the cross?
Jesus Forgave the Crowd
Luke 23:34
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Jesus Forged a new Family
John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Jesus Found a Lost Sheep
Luke 23:39-43
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus was Forsaken by God
Matthew 27:45-46
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Jesus Felt Need
John 19:28-29
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
Jesus Finished God’s work
John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
The position of the cross teaches us how to live. We are called to forgive all the people who have harmed us. We are to connect others to bring them together as the family of God. We are to proclaim the good news, even when it seems too late or the person seems “too far gone”. We are encouraged to cry out to the Lord during hardships, even while being thankful that we will never be forsaken like Jesus was by God. We are not to ignore or minimize the difficulties of life, as if that is a “more spiritual” way, but we are to honestly express our needs to those around us. And we are to continue until we finish the work God has called us to do.
The place of the death of Jesus, shows us how to live a life like Jesus. Look not only to the cross, but from the cross to understand how to live because of the cross.