As I read these chapters, I’m deeply saddened, and yet fascinated, by the foreshadow it holds for the rest of humanity’s relationship with Christ.

Like Judas, we often betray him. Maybe for money, or the attention. But we are just as guilty of putting Christ up on that cross as Judas.

Like Simon, we join in and carry our cross up the hill. We get to join in his suffering. It is a mark of honor and holy privilege. (Romans 5:3-5, Philippians 1:12-20)

Like the mockers, we questions his power. “If you are really God, do this! Do that!”

If I’m honest, I struggle to engage with this text. It’s a story I’ve been aware of my entire life, praise God. I lack the capacity to fully grasp what Christ is doing and has done. Enter: the Old Testament.

Tomorrow we are starting the book of Isaiah, which holds many, many, many beautiful prophesies of the Messiah. The cross and the resurrection are not just the ending to the book of Matthew, it’s the fulfillment of the first half of the Bible.

Buckle up! It’s gonna be good.

-Carly