BE FAITHFUL IN THIS SINFUL, FALLEN, DARK WORLD!
BE FAITHFUL IN THIS SINFUL, FALLEN, DARK WORLD!
Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. —John 19:31-32
Crucifixion was a form of torture and execution. Man comes up with all kinds of evil. Horrific as it was, when Jesus was crucified the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies of Jesus or the others crucified to be left on the crosses on the Sabbath. So the Jewish leaders asked Pilate to break their legs. Imagine! Ponder that! To be executed that way and then on top of it, while you are already going through pain and struggling to breathe, a soldier come by and breaks both of your legs. To have one leg broken violently is one thing; to have both of them broken is so satanically instigated! Now those with broken legs have pain tremendously multiplied as they attempt to push up to breathe. And this was asked to be done by the Jewish leaders!
Jesus was already dead so they did not break His legs as foretold in God’s Word. But what a terrifying time when on one side of Jesus the crucified legs are broken. I cannot image the agony that came out of that man, nor the man on the other side of Jesus knowing he was next to experience the horror of what just happened. Oh, what man can do to man!
There is evil in this world and until people acknowledge where evil comes from they will always be blaming someone else or something else for the evil that takes place. Satan is the initiator of evil, but he is rarely blamed for it. God is usually blamed for it. People need to “come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (II Timothy 2:26). There is the problem. Satan has captivated people and until they turn “from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in” Jesus, then there is no hope and will be a constant seeking for answers on how to deal with evil.
Evil deeds: denying the Lord God Almighty our Creator and Sustainer, murder—including abortion, pornography and every sexual perversion, human sex trafficking and other human enslaving, stealing, lying, lusting after people and things… Yes, we live in a fallen, dark and evil world and “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). Evil comes from the “evil one” and he encourages to do evil things like encouraging Cain to kill his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1-12; I John 3:12). Sin is powerful and Satan is the instigator of it. Right in the first family of the human race one brother kills the other! Yes, Satan will work through anyone he can to destroy others. That is where the problem lies, but one day Satin will be cast into hell forever (Revelation 20:10). Even so come Lord Jesus!
Dear Father I am so thankful to know Jesus and to know what and why things are happening on this planet. I am also grateful to know the end of the story and to be on the Victor’s side. Oh to be with Jesus and all who love Him forever! Until then may I live as You desire me to live by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRSGXKsv7IU