Zechariah 12:10

(And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. )

I remember the first time I watched the movie Braveheart. The movie follows the life of William Wallace, a Scottish patriot. Betrayed by a friend, he was incarcerated, tortured, and eventually executed by the British monarchy. I can still recall the emotions that I felt at the end of that movie. They were grief mingled with pity, with a small glimmer of hope for something better. The movie made me want to be a better person. It was a good movie, a good story.

I wonder sometimes if that is the reason so many appreciate the Crucifixion story: it's just a good story. In our mind's eye, we see Jesus upon the cross, and we weep for what mankind did to someone so innocent and pure. We are appalled at the scene which displays the worst of humanity. Perhaps we shed a tear for the fate of the Son of Man. Maybe we even make a silent vow to be a better person because of what we have seen. Yet the Gospel narrative is not a motivational story; it is the truth of God's design for mankind. The Lord wants to redeem us, to be in a right relationship with us. But our response to that Gospel will determine our fate in the end.

Many gathered at the foot of the cross on that black Friday before Easter. They all beat their breasts over the death of Jesus of Nazareth, but most went home unchanged. They ate and drank at their homes just like always. Maybe some considered the sight for a moment, but only a few understood what had really taken place. And God would use them to change the world for His glory. Not because they possessed great leadership skills, Peter was in denial. Not because they were learned people, most were fishermen, but because they allowed their grief over Christ's crucifixion to drive them to God. Their sorrow was of a godly variety, and it led them all to repentance.

So why do you mourn for the Son of Man? Does it cause a pain in your soul that you cannot quite understand? It should, for He did this just for you. My culpability would be no less than had I been the one who personally drove the nails into those righteous hands. Do you mourn the death of Jesus as passionately as you would your own firstborn son? Yea, and more so, for this was God's Firstborn. Does that grief change you from the inside out? I am not speaking of an emotional decision, but a spiritual transformation in your heart. Have you applied His sacrifice to your life in faith today? Friends, do not be so arrogant as to believe that being moved by Christ's death is enough. Many in Hell today felt sorry for Jesus. The question for you to determine in your heart today is, "Why do I mourn for Jesus?" For those of us who do mourn appropriately, let us never forget that hope would soon spring forth from His broken body. Death was not the end for the Son of Man. The grave could not close its bars upon the Son of God forever. He burst forth from her grip victoriously. Death is therefore not the end for you, child of God. Let us rejoice in His life, let us praise Him for His death, and let us live for His glory!