Good Morning. I've been trying to write this post for a few days but couldn't find the right words. How do you blog about the trial and crucifixion of Jesus? How do you convey through a keyboard the immense gift that Jesus bought with His death; the gratitude for that gift and the deep longing for others to realize the precious gift of salvation and to accept that gift for themselves.
Our sin is what made the cross necessary but Jesus willingly laid down his life to pay the penalty for our sins. As I read through chapter 23 I was struck by the many different times and people who declared Jesus innocent; a confirmation that He didn't deserve the cross and that it was His choice. Twice, in verses 4 and 22, Pilate declares Jesus innocent. In verses 14-15 Pilate again declares that He found Jesus innocent and also adds that Herod found Jesus innocent. The thief on the cross, even in his own suffering defended Jesus and declared that He had done nothing wrong (vs. 41) and finally in verse 47 the Roman centurion says "Certainly this man was innocent!" Jesus did not deserve the cross; yet he chose it!
I'm going to do something a bit different today. As so often happens God brings together thoughts from many different teachers and places. As I've mentioned before, I'm currently reading Tony Evans' book titled God Himself: A Journey Through His Attributes. In the chapter discussing the Love of God Dr. Evans shares just how powerful God's love was displayed in the crucifixion. Instead of typing it all out I'm going to share pictures of the pages (pages 141-143) and would encourage you to study through God's attributes, using this book or another. It's so important to keep our focus on God! I will warn you that it's an uncomfortable read at times because we're so used to living in a world where God is put into a box, where His wrath is downplayed and His justice is only convenient when it's focused where we want it to be.
Take some time and read through this:
It's hard, I'd say even impossible here on earth, to fathom the depths of God's love for us that would cause Him to choose to endure all this!
I want to share one last quote today from this book. It's found on page 101 in the chapter titled "The Wrath of God". After reading the pages above I pray that you will prayerfully consider this warning. It's not comfortable or convenient to realize this but it's eternally important.
tolerate it because an eternal God let His eternal Son pay an
eternal price for our eternal sin that eternal people might live
with Him eternally. But if we reject the God who paid the price and bore the wrath
of God due us through His Son for our sin, then we will face the
eternal consequences. God paid too high a price for us to play games with His wrath."
No comments:
Post a Comment