Martyrs and Saints - Behold the Man Hoodie

This featured garment is especially dear to me because it not only is the very first success of my screen printing journey but it is such a beautiful statement piece representing the image of Our Lord Jesus, King of kings, our high Priest, the Perfect and unblemished sacrifice, our friend, and our brother.

Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, begotten of the Father before all Ages, the Eternal Son of the Father; humbled himself, renouncing His Divine authority to take on a human nature and lay down His own life for His friends. There is no greater sacrifice than this in all of human history. The Apostle John tells us that everything that was made in creation was not made without Christ Jesus, the Word of God - Therefore, everything that was made by Him and through Him, is for Him. This is the Man we see being mocked by those who cannot accept His Divine kingship. This is the man we see saying, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do..”, as He is put to death by those who oppose Him. 

I would like to reflect briefly on this passage from Luke by referencing the context of the Chapter itself and in light of prophets Isaiah and King David. 

Luke paints a beautifully tragic picture of what was witnessed during the passion and Crucifixion of our Lord in Chapter 23. Jesus looked down from the cross He had just been nailed to — from which He willingly pours out His Blood for us — to behold a scene that only would have added to the distress. When we read on, we notice the mob that had gathered there at best to spectate, and at worst, to mock and ridicule him. There too were soldiers that mocked him with an interesting detail; after crucifying Jesus they decided to cast lots for his garments. We also notice the actual criminals that were crucified alongside our Lord. Even in His agony, Jesus asks the Father to forgive these people who have no idea the implications of their actions. The mob present there had been deceived by the Jewish leaders that Jesus was a fraud despite the constant evidence Christ showed them. The Roman soldiers mocking him were simply following an order by the universal civil authority to put a criminal to death. They believed he deserved it, they had no idea  they were killing the Son of the Living God. Rome, being the Universal Empire crowning Jesus as King, even in a mocking way, would not have even crossed their minds as significant. The mocking and the abuse was common place for how Rome treated condemned criminals, except for that one detail. Archeological experts have discovered many remains of crucified people.. and only one archeological find has indications of a crowing.  

Seven hundred years before the birth of our Lord, it is written in the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah, “He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah Chapter 53 verse 12). Jesus, from the cross, was perfectly exemplifying His own teaching from the “sermon on the plain” in the 6th Chapter of Luke’s Gospel, “But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (a teaching also found in the “sermon on the mount” in Matthew’s Gospel account, Chapter 5:43-44). Jesus Christ our Lord is the perfect sacrifice, the one mediator who gave himself as a ransom for all people, the perfect example of love, all while fulfilling yet another prophecy that came 700 years before His birth.

This whole scene of The Son of Man on the Cross with some of His final prayers being that of forgiveness for those who do not know Him or love Him, is the epitome of Jesus’ infinite mercy. One thousand years before His birth, the prophet King David said of Him:

…Yea, dogs are round about me;

a company of evildoers encircle me;

they have pierced my hands and feet—

I can count all my bones—

they stare and gloat over me;

they divide my garments among them,

and for my raiment they cast lots.

But thou, O Lord, be not far off!

O thou my help, hasten to my aid!

Deliver my soul from the sword,

my life from the power of the dog!

Save me from the mouth of the lion,

my afflicted soul from the horns of the wild oxen!

 I will tell of thy name to my brethren;

in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee:

 You who fear the Lord, praise him!…

~ Psalm 22