I am reading through Walter Wangerin's Lenten devotional book, Revive the Passion. (I recommend it highly, along with his Advent devotional, Preparing for Jesus.) A recent day's reading started with Mark 14:53-65. In this powerful passage of Scripture, we see Jesus at the home of the high priest. "They all condemned Him as deserving death. And some began to spit on Him and to cover His face and to strike Him, saying to Him, 'Prophesy!' And the guards received Him with blows." It is gruesome and should be overwhelming as we read how our Lord was treated because of our sin.
As I finished reading these verses, a song started playing in my mind... It is a Christmas song on Casting Crowns' "Peace on Earth" CD. It was my favorite song this past Christmas season. The part resonating in my mind goes "Love is raining down on the world tonight, there's a presence here I can tell. God is with us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel. He's the Savior we have been waiting for. In our humble hearts, He will dwell. God is with us. God is for us. God is with us, Emmanuel."
It seems odd to be singing a Christmas song as Easter is approaching... as the focus is on the Cross not the Manger.. and yet...
At Christmas those words are wrapped up like swaddling clothes around a tiny baby in a manger -- hope personified -- all pretty and sweet and real.
As I look towards Easter.. towards Calvary and the Crucifixion of that sweet babe grown to manhood, those words are still true. They are now nailed to a cross with a battered and bleeding Savior. In fact, in some ways I believe they fit at Easter more than at Christmas.
As Jesus hung on the cross, God's wrath rained down on Him and yet love... true love... God's love.. rained down on the world. On me... on you... on all who ever has been and ever will be...No doubt the presence of God was there.. No doubt He was still Emmanuel on that Cross... "God with us" was crucified -- willingly for our sins. That is a gut wrenching thought for me.. and it should be for you.
He was at that moment beaten and bare.. bruised... abused... dying and yet still the Savior the world was waiting for... He is still that Savior today. THE Only Savior and many in the world continue to wait for Him... some who don't realize He has come and those of us who await His final triumphant return. God does now dwell in our hearts through the Holy Spirit -- Emmanuel is real today -- He is God with us and He lives in those who choose to Believe!
Showing posts with label Cross. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cross. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" Matt. 27:24 & 25
The last part of verse 25 always gets to me. The people were saying "We will take the responsibility... the blame..." but what they didn't realize is their cry is actually what we need to be praying... that the blood of Jesus be on all people... on our children... for their is no other way for salvation.
So often Good Friday is just another day.... I imagine as I get busy with laundry and such it will become that for me today... I am praying that it doesn't. Take the time to read about the Crucifixion in the Bible (Matt 27 is one account)... and really meditate and ponder on what Jesus did... look at Phil. 2 also... He is GOD and He stepped out of His deity to become a human and to willing allow Himself not only to die on a cross, which is a horrible and shameful death, but to be spat upon... mocked... beaten.... ridiculed... and all because He loved each one of us! Personalize it and realize that this happened because of you and for you. And weep with sadness and joy that His blood in on you... you are to blame... I am to blame... we all are... BUT if Jesus is your Savior then His blood is on you and has washed you white as snow! How can you do anything but shout Hallelujah at that.
And while there does need to be a bit of humble sadness today as we realize what our Savior did... we need to remember that the story does not end today... oh no! There is a "rest of the story" that comes on Sunday... Weeping may last for a night, but Joy comes in the morning!
The last part of verse 25 always gets to me. The people were saying "We will take the responsibility... the blame..." but what they didn't realize is their cry is actually what we need to be praying... that the blood of Jesus be on all people... on our children... for their is no other way for salvation.
So often Good Friday is just another day.... I imagine as I get busy with laundry and such it will become that for me today... I am praying that it doesn't. Take the time to read about the Crucifixion in the Bible (Matt 27 is one account)... and really meditate and ponder on what Jesus did... look at Phil. 2 also... He is GOD and He stepped out of His deity to become a human and to willing allow Himself not only to die on a cross, which is a horrible and shameful death, but to be spat upon... mocked... beaten.... ridiculed... and all because He loved each one of us! Personalize it and realize that this happened because of you and for you. And weep with sadness and joy that His blood in on you... you are to blame... I am to blame... we all are... BUT if Jesus is your Savior then His blood is on you and has washed you white as snow! How can you do anything but shout Hallelujah at that.
And while there does need to be a bit of humble sadness today as we realize what our Savior did... we need to remember that the story does not end today... oh no! There is a "rest of the story" that comes on Sunday... Weeping may last for a night, but Joy comes in the morning!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
How could I not give You my life?
from September 9, 2008
I was listening to Phil Wickham this morning and these words reminded me again of what You did Lord...
Because of Your Cross, my debt is paid... Because of Your blood, my sins are washed away... Now all of my life, I freely give... Because of Your love, Because of Your love, I live
It takes an act of conscious... of choice to give You my life and yet You already own it. It's Yours, bought and paid for in full! How then could I not give it to You -- that would be stealing -- and why wouldn't I want to give it. After all You did to save it - there is no doubt You love my life -- me -- more than I love myself.
I was listening to Phil Wickham this morning and these words reminded me again of what You did Lord...
Because of Your Cross, my debt is paid... Because of Your blood, my sins are washed away... Now all of my life, I freely give... Because of Your love, Because of Your love, I live
It takes an act of conscious... of choice to give You my life and yet You already own it. It's Yours, bought and paid for in full! How then could I not give it to You -- that would be stealing -- and why wouldn't I want to give it. After all You did to save it - there is no doubt You love my life -- me -- more than I love myself.
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