He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth—Isaiah 53:7.

Heaven’s glory became the scum of the earth, as His creation became the object of His love. So, through oppression and affliction, He came to redeem His own. He was powerful and majestic in creation and authoritative in speech. He spoke, and everything came to be. In Gethsemane, Jesus asked His captors a question, and they fell on their backs. Legions of heaven’s army stood ready for their call to duty, but love clipped their wings, and their swords remained in their sheaths. At His command, one of them could have destroyed His captors. Yet not a word proceeded from His mouth — a manifestation of the power of His love. John, who baptized people in River Jordan, called Him “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

But the religious leaders called Him demon-possessed and said He healed people by the prince of demons. The signs they demanded stood before them every time Jesus lectured the crowds, healed the sick, delivered the oppressed, or raised the dead. Yet, they refused to acknowledge Him as their long-awaited Messiah.

 But wonder of wonders, willingly, Jesus went to the slaughter. As a sheep before its shearers, He did not open His mouth (Isaiah 53:7). He demonstrated submission for our example and humility to instruct our walk with Him.

As the Passover drew near, the Paschal Lamb was ready for the perfect sacrifice to end all sacrifices for sin. God prefigured Him in Isaac on Moriah, the mountain of the Lord, where He provided the lamb in his place (Genesis 22:14).

 So, on Jesus’ back, the Father laid the cruel wood—the cross of Calvary. Up the road to Golgotha, Christ stumbled along with thorns for a crown and a blood-drenched body to offer. The valley echoed the hammer’s pride as they nailed Him to the cross. With three spikes, the soldiers pierced His hands and feet, each to mark Him for eternity.

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

 The hour came for the victory cry, “It is finished” (John 19:30), and with that, He bowed His head, His body sagged, and He gave up His spirit.

The pertinent question for us all is why He did it. Why did Christ die for us who hated Him so much?

O, that we could hear the prophet Isaiah today:

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53: 5).

 So, look to Him who died and rose in victory today (Mark 16:6) and be healed. Then come, join the redeemed, His rescued children from the dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:13-14) in singing His praises. The empty grave reveals His glory through all eternity. From there, our Lord rose from the dead and lives to give life to all who believe. His light shines to reveal the beauty of His love—love so divine!

Happy Easter!