It was the most outrageous crime of all time. It was also the most amazing act of love and compassion ever.
Four times in each of the New Testament gospels we are confronted with the account of the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. To read these accounts is to be changed at the very core of our being. The injustice that our sinless Savior was subjected to screams out, and yet it is overshadowed by the most selfless, loving act of all time. We cannot come to the cross without walking away changed.
At the cross Jesus exemplifies all that He taught. He who spoke of the blessings of being insulted and persecuted and having said "all kinds of evil against you because of Me" ( Matthew 5:11 ) fully demonstrates the meaning of His teaching by saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" ( Luke 23:24 ).
In the ultimate act of trust and faith "Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit'". ( Luke 23:46 ). The mortal Son of God fully entrusted Himself to His immortal Father for life and resurrection.
The cross confronted us with life-changing choices. It is at the cross that we are called to live the teachings of Jesus our Lord. It is here that we die to self in order to live for Christ and the kingdom. At the cross we are called to sacrifice self for something far greater and bigger than ourselves. We are called to ultimate faith and trust in the One who alone possesses immortality.
At the cross we die to self and plead to the Savior, "remember me when You come in Your kingdom" ( Luke 23:42 ), and it is there that we are fully assured that we will be with Him in Paradise ( Luke 23:43 ).
The cross calls us to die in order that we might live. And as we die we live more than we have ever lived before.
May you find fullness of life today as you come to the cross to die to self.
Steve
Four times in each of the New Testament gospels we are confronted with the account of the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. To read these accounts is to be changed at the very core of our being. The injustice that our sinless Savior was subjected to screams out, and yet it is overshadowed by the most selfless, loving act of all time. We cannot come to the cross without walking away changed.
At the cross Jesus exemplifies all that He taught. He who spoke of the blessings of being insulted and persecuted and having said "all kinds of evil against you because of Me" ( Matthew 5:11 ) fully demonstrates the meaning of His teaching by saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" ( Luke 23:24 ).
In the ultimate act of trust and faith "Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit'". ( Luke 23:46 ). The mortal Son of God fully entrusted Himself to His immortal Father for life and resurrection.
The cross confronted us with life-changing choices. It is at the cross that we are called to live the teachings of Jesus our Lord. It is here that we die to self in order to live for Christ and the kingdom. At the cross we are called to sacrifice self for something far greater and bigger than ourselves. We are called to ultimate faith and trust in the One who alone possesses immortality.
At the cross we die to self and plead to the Savior, "remember me when You come in Your kingdom" ( Luke 23:42 ), and it is there that we are fully assured that we will be with Him in Paradise ( Luke 23:43 ).
The cross calls us to die in order that we might live. And as we die we live more than we have ever lived before.
May you find fullness of life today as you come to the cross to die to self.
Steve
posted by steve @ 1:11 PM
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