Thoughtful Thursday-Unwound
in Thoughtful Thursdays on April 2, 2015
Did you know that George Strait’s debut single was Unwound? And with that one song he changed the course of Country Music history as we know it. George Strait is known as The King of Country Music. He is the son of a math teacher. He was raised on a working cattle ranch, and born from extremely humble beginnings, who later became iconic in the blink of an eye. Unwound is a great song. It is sung from the point of view of man, who thought he had his woman (yes, I said, ‘woman‘ just like a proper hick) wrapped around his little finger…but he comes to find out, that she has just come unwound. Apparently, she was not wrapped as tightly as he had thought or hoped. He thought he could do whatever he wanted to do, and she would always be there, ready to take him back, put up with whatever his schemes may be…but, it turns out, that was not the case. The singer’s world quickly unraveled and became unwound. Today is Maundy Thursday. Today, millions of Christians across the globe are celebrating and remembering the Last Supper of Christ with His disciples. You could almost say, that today is the day that things in Jesus’ personal circle became unwound.
We are right smack dab in the middle of Holy Week. For Christians, our entire belief hinges on the events of this week. Did you know that? Without the crucifixion and resurrection, the birth of Jesus could be labeled as just another Prophet’s birth. Thankfully we know differently. In today’s Thoughtful Thursday, we are taking a painful look at the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Through many of my years of Bible study I had almost viewed the Crucifixion in pity, as though I felt sorry for Jesus and all that He went through. But let me assure you, there is nothing sad nor sorrowful about the Cross! There is the almighty and awesome power of God Himself shining through in EVERY aspect of the crucifixion. Line by line, in each of the four Gospels, Old Testament prophecy is perfectly partnered with New Testament fulfillment. Coincidence? No. God-power all the way!
As Jesus and His disciples recline at table, we see the betrayal of a friend, Judas handed Jesus over to the officials (John 13:30). “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9).
Jesus was crucified on a wooden cross, which in biblical times meant He was hung on a tree, “…anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse” (Deuteronomy 21:23).
The guards cast lots for Jesus’ clothes , and yet He prays for them, (John 19:34), “In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer” (Psalm 109:4).
As the day of the crucifixion draws to a close, the guards want to hurry the process along by breaking the legs of the dying. When they get to Jesus, they find He is already dead, therefore they leave His legs in tact, “he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken” (Psalm 34:20).
However, for good measure, the guards pierce Jesus’ side which brings a sudden flow of blood and water, thus proving He is, in fact dead. “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son” (Zechariah 12:10).
Jesus had a job to do. He didn’t shrink away from it. He embraced it. He willingly walked toward it with my face in His mind, and with your face in His mind. With His final breath, a breath which was not taken from Him, “Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30). He did it. His life was not taken from Him. He willingly gave it. That is Mighty muscle through and through. Jesus was NOT the victim, He was…He IS the Victor.
So, what does the Crucifixion have to with George Strait? Nothing. I wanted to make a comparison for you. The series of events in the song were beyond the man’s control. His life was fast becoming “Unwound,” if you will. The series of events that took place around the Crucifixion were not only completely under the control of Jesus—they were ORDAINED by Him before the foundation of the world was laid. Although our lives come unwound, it is wonderful to know that the Crucifixion can NEVER be unwound or UNDONE! It was FINISHED. It IS finished. Jesus did it ALL. We are saved and redeemed from our own messes because of the work He did on the Cross. Embrace the Cross this week! Have a great one!
One final fulfillment: the Cross is not the end of the story. Jesus does not stay on the Cross, nor does He stay in the tomb. You see, from the outside appearances, it seemed like Jesus’ inner circle was rapidly becoming unwound. However, in reality, it was Satan’s plan that was unraveling. The grave could not hold Jesus! He proved that on Easter morning. “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead…” (Matthew 28:5-7). This corresponds to Psalm 16:10, “because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” Jesus IS the Victor.
For those of you in the Houston metro area, we would love to have you worship with us during Holy Week (and beyond).
Holy Week Service Times:
Maundy Thursday: 10:00 am & 7:15 pm
Good Friday: 10:00 am & 7:15 pm (Tenebrae, progressing darkness)
Easter Sunday: 6:00 am Sunrise, 8:00 & 9:30 Traditional, 11:00 Contemporary
For questions or directions, please go to www.trinityklein.org
Here’s hoping that you can unwind this Easter!
-Dallas
One thought on “Thoughtful Thursday-Unwound”
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Alice Tharp says:
Great artice Dalllas! Great job.