This Friday is Good Friday.
The account of Jesus’ last days will be recounted.
Let our hearts absorb the magnitude of His betrayal, His trial, the mocking, spitting, and degradation of Him. His scourging.
Contemplate the spikes driven in his wrists and feet.
What passion- What love!!
Why did it have to be this way?
Why did He do it?
Why?
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Looking to Jesus, the author and and finisher of our faith- who FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb. 12:2
What made Jesus endure the cross?
photo credit Hobby Lobby advertisement
What was the JOY set before Him?
Was it going back to heaven? Seeing His Father again? Being done with His mission?
Partly- but that’s not all….
I think the JOY set before Him was He was going to take back what had been stolen from Him. He wanted to put death to death and make us alive to BRING US HOME TO GOD!
His creation. Mankind. Those made in His image, after His likeness! You and Me!
You are God’s surprising treasure- bought & paid for by Jesus!
He came for you- for me.
His mission wasn’t complete until He laid down His life as a ransom for
our lives.
Through Adam- all mankind fell into sin and was separated from God- from real relationship, our friendship broken because sin cannot be in God’s presence. No longer, could God walk with us in the cool of the day. But God had a plan from the foundations of the world. John the Baptist recognized it when He saw Jesus walking toward him to be baptized,
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”
Jesus knew, that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. He CHOSE to lay down His life, and spill His own blood to pay the penalty for sin- once and for all!
The moment He cried out, “IT IS FINISHED!” the temple curtain tore from top to bottom to declare that mankind and God were no longer separated. The wrath of God and His judgement were satisfied at the cross!
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:13-15
Halleluia, what a Savior! You remind me of a memorable sermon I heard years ago from our late former pastor. He had new insight on the parable of the pearl of great price. He linked it to the other parables, pointing out that nothing we do can purchase what Jesus has done (hence other interpretations have been missing the point). No, he explained that WE are the pearl of great price that Jesus came to seek and to save at the cross.
Another message from our current pastor: he points out in the covenant God made with Abraham, where the flaming lantern passed between the animals, that God was obligating Himself, not Abraham, to keep the covenant. In that time and place, it was the victor who made the captive walk the gauntlet. But, God turned the tables, taking the place of the captive Himself. Aren’t we just blessed beyond measure?!
Thank you so much for this exquisitely beautiful message! You are so special, Cindy.
I love that Edy- He gave all to purchase us- we cost Him everything! It’s such a relief to know that God “obligates” Himself and NOT US (because I know I would fail as I have so many times) but He is victorious! Hallelujah! hugs sister- you’re a treasure to me!
Cindy…Wonderful read! I know that anyone reading this could understand the whole plan of salvation. You are a wonderful writer with so much insight. i wish you would find a way to write a book…I would be first in line to buy it. I always know I can find uplifting by reading your “treasures” Thank you so much…
Charlene