Dear Reader, the road to the cross is not for the faint of heart. Reflecting on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus is hard, but how can we come into a closer relationship with Him if we don’t dig a little deeper? Let us go on this difficult, but necessary, journey together.
Did you know, Dear Reader, that most natural fibers for making rope are grown in tropical areas? Access to the necessary fibers seems to have made rope the tool of choice in ancient Isreal. The main plant fibers, hemp, manila, sisal, and coir, are used for their specific qualities (strength, being waterproof, ability to stretch, and resistance to salt water).
(Uh-oh! Sounds like my social studies teacher brain is kicking in. Don’t worry, it won’t last long.)
Some of the uses for rope, or cordage, include building ships, constructing monuments, surveying fields, securing tents, basketry, and of course, restraining prisoners. Unfortunately for prisoners, the qualities of natural fibers don’t typically include softness.
Dear Reader, have you ever found yourself in bondage of some sort? Bonds, ropes, chains intended to be sturdy with no thought of gentleness. Restraints that force you to go where you didn’t want to go?
So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
Matthew 27:2 NIV
He was arrested and sentenced and led off to die,
and no one cared about his fate.
He was put to death for the sins of our people.
Isaiah 53:8 GNT
