THE HORRIBLE AND WONDERFUL CROSS!

THE HORRIBLE AND WONDERFUL CROSS!

 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.  —Mark 15:15

             What Jesus foretold was now coming to pass.  He would now be beaten and die on a cross.  Barabbas, who had killed someone, would be released and Jesus would be led off to be executed.  A known murderer would walk free while the innocent Lamb of God would die a criminal’s death.  Yes, this all was in the plan of God, but men are still responsible for carrying it out!

            Pilate knew Jesus was innocent.  Still, “wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.”  So there you have it.  This is a typical unrighteous politician— wanting to satisfy the crowd.  Unruly crowds move unrighteous leaders to do the wrong things.  Rioters are in the U.S. of late surely have swayed unrighteous leaders to do their will— they “satisfy the crowd.”  They will answer to our Lord as will Pilate.

            Jesus being crucified was horrible and also was wonderful.  Horrible that He took the sins of all time on Himself (I John 2:2), but wonderful that He did this our of love so that we could be with Him after we finish our earthly race (Hebrews 12:1-2).  Let us keep perspective and be faithful.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw  Again, man is responsible for crucifying Jesus.  But, brother and sister, let us rejoice for what Jesus has done for us (John 3:16). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUvpBphq5og

Dear Father I am overwhelmed, I am confounded, I am grateful that Jesus was willing to go through all that He did… for me!  I love You and so look forward to being in glory with You.  Oh, may that be soon.  Until then it is my heart’s desire to be and do what You desire by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  May it be so!