We wear tiny crosses around our necks not because Jesus died on one, but because He triumphed over one. The cross is not the end of the story. That instrument of torture and execution, the roman cross, is now a symbol of love. Designed to humiliate and punish, that cross showed the sovereignty of Jesus as He reigned there.
First, He demonstrated sovereign grace. The first thing Jesus did when He got to the cross was to seek forgiveness for those who had placed Him on it. He interceded for pardon for His enemies.
Then, He showed sovereign power. “Today you shall be with me in Paradise.” This part of the Crucifixion story is like a flower of rare beauty planted among dreary crags of agony and blood. Christ poured an overflowing reward upon the dying thief who recognized His sovereignty.
Then we heard His sovereign love. “Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother.” He had already made precious gifts. To His murderers He bequeathed forgiveness. To His companion in crucifixion, He gave the pleasure of paradise. Now to His mother and beloved disciple, John, He bequeaths one to another.
Through it all, He gave a sovereign sacrifice. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” Around, there was dense darkness, for the Light of the World was being extinguished. In such a dark moment He felt the terribleness of the load of human sin. But, blessed be His name, He stayed on that cross. He endured that God-forsaken experience that we might be forever saved.
Then, He suffered sovereign humiliation. For twenty hours this Royal Sufferer had tasted nothing. For six hours His lovely battered form had hung upon the cross. Vinegar was offered Him but He would not touch it. He could easily have refreshed Himself and numbed the pain with the opiates of man, but He who made all the wells and rivers was smitten by a bitter raging thirst. “I thirst!” Truly He was never as kingly as when in His cry for water He revealed His humanity and humbled himself.
Truly, every attitude I need to learn in order to live, I can learn from my Savior as He died. Praise God this is not the end. Praise God this execution ends with redemption!
Luke 23:38 “Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
John 18:36 “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”
Lord God, may I learn from Christ at His most anguished moments how to live in love. Thank you for the amazing sacrifice that bought my soul. In the name of my only King, Jesus, Amen.
For HIS Glory,
Cara and Patti
Classic Christianity
First, He demonstrated sovereign grace. The first thing Jesus did when He got to the cross was to seek forgiveness for those who had placed Him on it. He interceded for pardon for His enemies.
Then, He showed sovereign power. “Today you shall be with me in Paradise.” This part of the Crucifixion story is like a flower of rare beauty planted among dreary crags of agony and blood. Christ poured an overflowing reward upon the dying thief who recognized His sovereignty.
Then we heard His sovereign love. “Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother.” He had already made precious gifts. To His murderers He bequeathed forgiveness. To His companion in crucifixion, He gave the pleasure of paradise. Now to His mother and beloved disciple, John, He bequeaths one to another.
Through it all, He gave a sovereign sacrifice. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” Around, there was dense darkness, for the Light of the World was being extinguished. In such a dark moment He felt the terribleness of the load of human sin. But, blessed be His name, He stayed on that cross. He endured that God-forsaken experience that we might be forever saved.
Then, He suffered sovereign humiliation. For twenty hours this Royal Sufferer had tasted nothing. For six hours His lovely battered form had hung upon the cross. Vinegar was offered Him but He would not touch it. He could easily have refreshed Himself and numbed the pain with the opiates of man, but He who made all the wells and rivers was smitten by a bitter raging thirst. “I thirst!” Truly He was never as kingly as when in His cry for water He revealed His humanity and humbled himself.
Truly, every attitude I need to learn in order to live, I can learn from my Savior as He died. Praise God this is not the end. Praise God this execution ends with redemption!
Luke 23:38 “Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
John 18:36 “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”
Lord God, may I learn from Christ at His most anguished moments how to live in love. Thank you for the amazing sacrifice that bought my soul. In the name of my only King, Jesus, Amen.
For HIS Glory,
Cara and Patti
Classic Christianity
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