Jesus died
Today I am not going to try to be eloquent or poetic.This truth does not need polishing or enhancing.
It only needs us to pay attention...
Just look at what it's saying:
- It's about Someone who called Himself the Son of God and died for that.
- An unnatural level of violence and cruelty was directed at a man who preached love and healed people.
- He forgave in the midst of pain that should have driven Him crazy.
- His presence and manner touched a wily politician (who wrote a sign that amounted to treason), a hardened criminal and a tough soldier.
- Incredible supernatural events which were also profoundly and appropriately symbolic accompanied His crucifixion.
- He gave His life, it wasn't taken.
Were you there...?"
As you read today's passage, take time to "be there."
Be horrified, be amazed and astounded and then be filled with thanks and adoration.
| Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. " Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. (Luke23:32-47) |
