Each year I hear the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus and something new and fresh jumps out of the pages of the scripture. It is truly one of the most beautiful things about the pages of scripture: they are alive. They bring life.
However, each year that I read of Jesus’ passion, one piece always sticks out. It is the most shocking statement in the gospel of Mark:
They bound Jesus.
Let those words soak in. The infinite God was bound. The omnipotent’s hands were tied.
But this wasn’t the first time God was bound. The once infinite became finite in the form of a baby. The one who could see all of space and time at a single glance, could now only see the face of his mother 18 inches in front of him.
But the binding that took place at the hands of the Jewish police was not so gentle as the swaddling cloth and the tender arms of his mother. This time Jesus is being arrested. Charged with crimes he did not commit. What ever happened to
You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free?
Just prior to his arrest, Jesus had announced the truth of his identity. It was the truth which led to Jesus being bound! Was this some glorious act of victory on the part of mankind? Like a cosmic rodeo in which we have just captured and tied up God? No. It was humility on the part of the King of Kings. Jesus submitted himself to the torture of crucifixion. Scripture is clear on this one. Jesus could have removed the chains. He didn’t lose his omnipotence. But he did allow himself to be bound. And in being bound, Jesus secured true freedom.
Being bound to me is one of the scariest thoughts. Not bound by chains or ropes. I have little reason to fear such physical assaults. But bound by space, bound by time, bound by people and relationships. Yes, those bindings are scary. We all like the idea of independence right. We don’t want anyone else to own us. We want to be free to come and go as we please. Even being bound to our bodies is an annoyance at times. I want the ability to be in two places at once. I want to not need sleep, I mean, there are 24 hours in a day. Why can’t all of them be productive?
So what is it that has your hands tied?
Is it possible that these are the things God has called you to? Could He bring life and true freedom through your being bound? Even to such simple things as our own skin…
