Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Dr.Willy Isaac
Carmel MTC, Boston MA
“They had crucified him ...”
(Matt.27:35)
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me "(John 14:6). Jesus declares
the reason for His death is to provide the way to heaven for sinful mankind,
who could never get there on their own.
God,
in His grace and mercy, provided a way out of this by the crucifixion of His
Son on the cross. Jesus humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even
death on a cross. God’s plan for Jesus was to die as a sacrifice for the sins
of the world. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
"(John 3:16).
Without
Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, no one would have eternal life. God
declared that all who sin will die, both physically and spiritually. This is
the fate of all mankind. But God, in His grace and mercy, provided a way out of
this dilemma, the shed blood of His perfect Son on the cross. Without the
shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22)
Many
people came to watch Jesus hang on the cross. Some came because they loved Him
and others because they hated Him. Those who loved Him may have been hoping to
witness Him being miraculously delivered. As Jesus is dying on the cross, many
people pass by and encourage Him to come down from the cross if He is the Son
of God. Others are waiting to see if God will rescue Him.
Some
of us may be like the soldiers and may have heard the message of the cross so
many times that we have become hardened and indifferent to the suffering
of Jesus.
Some
of us may be like the travelers who pass by the cross, and making comments like
“You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save
yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God”
Some
of us may be like the religious leaders who see Jesus as someone you want to
avoid, reject and get rid of because you love your self-centered, godless
lifestyle too much and He would want to change things. ““He saved others,” they
said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down
now from the cross, and we will believe in him.”
Some of us may be like the criminal on the cross who knew Jesus
was innocent and realized that He was who He claimed to be and asked Jesus if
he could be included in His coming Kingdom.
Jesus
said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing"
(Luke 23:34).
We see in the cross God’s immeasurable love for sinners. It was this
love that moved Him to bear the heavy load of our sin.
PRAYER
Dear Lord help us to
come closer to You and understand Your ways. May the love of God touch
everyone by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"If
we want proof of God’s love for us, then we must look first at the Cross where
God offered up His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Calvary is the one
objective, absolute, irrefutable proof of God’s love for us." (Jerry
Bridges)