"Behold, the Man!"

"Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him.  And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and to give Him slaps in the face.  Pilate came out again and said to them, 'Behold...I find no guilt in Him.'  Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.  Pilate said to them, 'Behold, the Man!"  (Gospel of John 19:1-5)

On this Good Friday, let us BEHOLD THE MAN!

Behold the man who is also God, full of grace and truth, expressing in life, mind, and words the heart of God the Father, about whom the angels sang on that starlit night over Bethlehem.

Behold the man who is the perfect servant of the heavenly Father doing His will and being obedient to the Father to the point of death upon the cross.

Behold the man who bears the weight of the sinner's guilt; counted as guilty before the Law and God's justice, enduring the full force of divine wrath and punishment that the sinner may go free.

Behold the man who loves His sheep so much that He gives Himself them.

Behold the man who sees the light of glory glistening over the distant horizon where time and eternity will be changed because of the cross, and as such gives Himself to the malevolent deeds of sinners for the "joy set before Him."

Behold the man who will purchase the sinner's forgiveness and justified state in His blood.

Behold the man who will rise again in glorious triumph over death.

Behold the man who will ascend to the right hand of God the Father to intercede for His darling church.

Behold the man who will come again to take His rightful place before the world and history as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Behold the man who will one day kiss His church-bride full mouth with joy and love, and take her home to His heavenly place where they will live in eternal bliss shining with divine glory.

Yes, with joy, awe, wonder, mystery, and love - BEHOLD THE MAN!