Day 20 of Knowing Him: An Easter Devotional (view all days)
They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Matthew 27:33-37)
Now came time for the clash between good and evil, heaven and hell. The crucifixion of Jesus is both the most horrific moment in human history and humanity’s only hope. That’s why we call the Friday before Easter Good Friday.
Jesus’ followers were still too weak to understand and so they scattered. The religious elite played out their plot; the political leaders passed the buck and in the end discarded Jesus for the sake of convenience. The crowds gawked. Two thieves hung on either side of a man whose crime was hard to comprehend. The placard above his head announcing with biting sarcasm “King of the Jews,” must have attracted some attention.
We know of seven things Jesus said from that cross including a pronouncement of forgiveness for soldiers, provision for the care of his mother, a plea for something to wet his parched mouth. But the last words on that last day of his natural human life were the most important: “It is finished!”
That was not a cry of resignation, not capitulation or surrender. It was the shout of victory that all that God had planned for the restoration of sinful human beings was now accomplished. Now there could be justification! Redemption! Reconciliation! All that needed to be done for the debt and scar of sin had been done. Now forgiveness was free. All that remained was for Jesus to step out from the shadow of death, which he would easily do after a couple of days. But first, disciples had time to search their hearts for how something good could be seen in something so bad, while the enemies of God disappeared into the darkness of their own duplicity.
Ponder This: How does the crucifixion of Jesus most powerfully impact you?
[This daily devotional will appear through Easter.]
His love for me and all people.
The Crucifixion of Jesus has effected me enough for me to change from one who goes with the crowd
in doing things which were distasteful to God to one who LOVES the LORD and tries daily to HONOR
and glorify HIM who suffered humiliation to the highest degree possible for ME and finally death
in the worst way that I MIGHT BE REDEEMED. All I can say is my prayer is that by living a life
HE want’s me to live I will DO MY BEST to DAILY serve HIM in ALL WAYS.
I think of the suffering of Jesus and it makes me very sad. I think of how He had to fulfill the scriptures and it helps me to understand a little more. He was for us a human being and the body he had suffered more than any of us ever have to suffer. He was human after all and I’m sure He was scared but turned it all over to the Father. “It is finished” I’m sure when He passed and the suffering stopped He was happy but He did this for us. I am so thankful to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for what they have done for all humanity. I worship the Trinity for all that is done for us daily. I look for the time I am with them to feel the Peace that surpasses all understanding. Jesus with the body He had felt that after the suffering He did for us stopped and He passed.. God Bless. I pray that everyone has a blessed and thoughtful Good Friday.
To know that God loved us that much cannot be described in words. I pray that my actions will show HIM justice.
You know, I use to ask, “why did Jesus have to suffer and die?” I thought that my prayers and good deeds took away my sin; so when I was told Christ died for my sin, I did not understand why? When I understood that His death on the cross was the only way that my sins could be forgiven – I was humbled. No longer could I boast about my small efforts, it is all about Jesus. My life was transformed at that point. I was no longer the same. Instead of living for myself, I live for Him. The Lord has called me to a ministry to children and I teach them about the true meaning of the cross.
I praise the Triune God for this holy day. Because Jesus died for me and His people we do not need to fear our own death.
I pray for those people that are unbelievers. They have a lot to worry about. I pray for their repentence.
This is a sad but joyous day. I look forward to saying outloud He is Risen He is Risen Indeed!!
Just the fact of knowing that he loved us so much, that he was willing to die in our place. Says it all .
John 15:13 says “Greater love hath no man tha this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (kjv)
When I think about the suffering Jesus went through it reminds me just how much God hated my sin.I am so grateful (not nearly enough though) that because of what Jesus endured I may now approach the throne of God and He sees only the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus!Thank you Father!
Hallelujah for the cross Of Jesus Christ!!
it has change my life and I now understand what it means to have the Holy Spirit in my heart.
It impacts me with the Love and the Suffering that Jesus did for all of Humanity, but yet their are so many in this world, that do not and care not what has happened. The tru word of God is always with me and in my heart and his love so abounding that it cannot be so forgotten. In 2nd Corinthians it says Let light shine out of darkness, may his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ.
It doesn’t make sense to me that if God wanted to offer redemption to mankind, why the gruesome death? If God and His son planned this so we could have everlasting life, why was it done in THIS way, such a barbaric event, full of pain. Why would God offer us redemption through such horrific means? As I say, it doesn’t make sense. Could not redemption have been offered to Man without this method? Why the cross?
Nancy – thanks for your honest question. I hope you have time to take a few minutes to read something I’m going to point you to here, written by Mark Roberts. Go to the webpage and scroll about half way down to “Why Did Jesus Have to Die? Another Jewish Perspective . . . The Perspective of Jesus of Nazareth” and read to the end. Mark Roberts lays out Jesus’ own explanations about why he would die, and the reflections of the first Christians. You’ll find it at: http://www.patheos.com/community/markdroberts/series/why-did-jesus-have-to-die/
There is a lot of mystery in this, but the idea of sacrifice was built up for hundreds of years before we get to Jesus. And it is so important that Jesus himself explained it.
The crucifixion impacts me in two ways. One is sorrow. The Messiah had been killed. The other is joy, for in His death, He has guaranteed that our sins are forgiven. Only the most loving GOD would send his Son down to us when we were still full of sin. God bless you all.
Of course, that that single act saved us from our sins. Also that Jesus was willing to undergo such severe suffering to save us from our sins. Because he was part human, he felt all the suffering that he went through. I can’t even imagine how it would feel to go through all that. It shows just how much he loves us.
It brought the peace of nowing through Christ blood that I will see Him in person and spend eternty singing His praises and that Psal 16:11 I will get to experence as my Dorthy has been since May 10th at 1841 our year of the Lord 2010.
The crucifixion made me to acept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
In the old Testement one lamb was given in sacrifice from one person or family. Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice for ALL people . Now I know that all my sins are forgiven and will be forgiven forever. THANKS BE TO GOD AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.
I know that some of those nails in Christ’s hands are from my sins. My heart breaks as I think of my part His death. BUT the wonderful news of Easter Morn, and I believe as the hymn says:
“ALL is WELL with MY SOUL.”
The fact that because he loved me so much he was prepared to die for me
When I was younger I could not understand why it was called Good Friday. Had they not crucified our Lord, what was good about that? Now that I understand why he had to die, for us. In this finite world love is a finite thing but with Christ love is infinite and eternal. It is a sacrifice and a love which is hard to comprehend because of it’s magnitude. I am so blessed to be loved by Jesus and now strive to be worthy of His love and His blessing. Praise God, Praise Jesus
my oldest daughter passed away in 1994. lupus. during her last days i asked GOD to please take her back. not my will but HIS and i asked for strength to do what i had to do in the days that followed her passing. i felt like what HE must have felt having to give up HIS child.
i thank GOD for JESUS as i’ve buried another daughter (2003) and a granddaughter (2010). it’s not easy but now i understand that their life only began after the transition. the seed has to die in order to grow. is that why my grandmother always planted something on good friday?
I look back on times in my life that seemed pretty dark, and the cross reminds me that being a daughter of the risen King Jesus Christ those times were meant to draw me closer and have a clearer understanding of the words spoken by Jesus. When Jesus said “it is finished” he sealed all my sin, pain, doubt, regret, and graciously allows me everyday to look only to him for all I need.
One GOD, One FAITH, One BAPTISM.
He died for my sin so I could be set free from its power and receive eternal life, and an abundant life here on earth. His death has set me free! Glory to His name! Praise God in the highest! I want to be thankful for His wondrous sacrifice every day of my life.
He died for my sin so I could be set free from its power and receive eternal life and an abundant life here on earth. His death has set me free! Praise God! Thank you Jesus! I want to be thankful for His wondrous sacrifice every day of my life.
Jesus died for me, not because I am worthy, but because I am a sinner. It clearly proves He loves me. Since He loves me, I can love myself and I can love others, even though we are all imperfect and sinful. His death paved the way for life for me therefore I must use this life for Him and in service to others.
The awe and wonder of such love I cannot comprehend. I just receive it. The closer I get to God the more personal Jesus’ crucifixion becomes. However, for some it is easy to place His death way out there somewhere and not be affected by it. These people are in denial. This was a place I was at once but now I am no longer in denial. Praise God for His blessings on us. Undeservedly.
It was the ultimate price that the Lord paid for my sins! I feel humbled that the Lord had to go through this to redeem my soul and more so, for free! I feel that when he said ‘it is finished’ He symbolized the end of suffering for the believers. But I am still amazed by the grand plan of the Lord.
THE CRUCIFIXION MEANS THAT A PRICE WAS PAID BY OUR LORD FOR OUR
SINS AND THAT BY DYING ON THE CROSS FOR US WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
WITH HIM AND HE PAID A PRICE WE COULD NOT PAY.
THANK YOU JESUS FOR DYING FOR US ON CALVERY.
As the most notable event in history. Through this sacrifice all mankind has the opportunity for relationship with God. I have this opportunity, so He is my Redeemer, He is alive and has accomplished the most incredible act ever performed.
Iam so blessed.
The crucifixion to me is probably the most amazing and yet truely powerful event ever in History. Amazing and yet humbling that God Himself came down and became like a man in the form of Jesus Christ His Son and even give up His life for all mankind. Truely Powerful because it still has the power to realease people today. Im grateful for the work of the cross, where would I be if Jesus didn’t love me. Thank You Jesus for the work of the cross.
Crucifixion of Jesus for me is the greatest example of love displayed for human…one great thing one could ever be grateful for throughout life. Its a call for me to be grateful and stay humble, shown in obedience. Thank God for thinking of us even then!
It touches me when I am numb.
Thank you glorious Jesus for paying a price for me and the whole word that we couldn’t.
The crucifixion leaves me very thankful, that a price was paid so I could have a life on earth & in eternity with Christ. It is a humbling experience that always have me re-affirming my faith and my life to the Lord.
God displayed His unconditional love toward me. How could I refuse to accept His offer of love, forgiveness and Salvation. It grieves me to know that it was my sin that put Him on that cross, and it grieves me even more that I continue to sin. I love the Lord with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and sin still rears it ugly head in my life. I just want each day of my life to be honoring to Him, to please Him. Rom12:1-2.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings.
Peg
I feel so badly that Jesus had to suffer for me but also absolute joy and freedom to KNOW that IT IS FINISHED indeed. Life has meaning, a real purpose – it’s not just some cosmic joke. To KNOW that I will be spending ETERNITY (who can comprehend that) with Jesus means more than I know how to communicate. Praise the Lord!!!
Because Jesus gave His all, I can stand tall in His shadow and not crouch in the shadow of sin. He set in motion a cleansing of mankind that can never be rivaled. It was Him who opened up a new life for me to breathe easy and rejoice in my new life.
I am awed and floored and dumbfounded that He did that for me. When someone does such a spectacular kindness, how can you ever say thank you for the immeasurable wealth that He bestows?
I love Him and I cannot never ever navigate this life without Him. It’s way too hard for me to do alone. He has added such a comfort to my life just by being here with me walking with me through life’s hardships.
I would like to say to Peg that we all sin. We are human and we will continue to sin to the day we die. BUT, though we fall, if we repent, we are continuously cleansed by His blood. All of it will be drowned in the deepest sea. God bless you sister!
Sometimes I wonder if we are living in Hell right now. With all the bad, gruesome things going on all around us everyday, I wonder if the end has already happened and this is our end. And, yet there are times when I can know and feel that my prayers are being answered, so I think it is to come.
I hope my second thinking is correct.
This is not hell. This is the world and its system. It is the thing that Jesus rejected when tempted by Satan in the desert.
Jesus will come back for us. He is the “author and finisher of our faith.”
He did not leave us without a promise and provisions.
Keep the faith!!
It changes everything!
Jesus died for me that I might be made right with God even though I don’t deserve it.
Thank you Jesus for your grace and love.
1 Peter 2: 21-25 This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss.
They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.
I literally walk the streets with my physical cross as I carry my spiritual one!
It’s more “meaningful” to feel the impact of this horrible torture and suffering if I envision Him on the cross looking at ME, letting me know He went thru all of this for ME to have everlasting life with the Lord. I feel overwhelmed and not worthy, but certainly more than grateful.
I remember after seeing The Passion a few years ago, as we walked out of the theater in the crowd of silence, that a simple “thank you” wasn’t enough and still have a hard time with weight and gravity of it all.
The crucifixion affects me in just what you said, Mel. It means VICTORY. Without Jesus, and what He did on the cross, there would be no victory for any of us. Thanks for stimulating our thinking.
This strengthens me that i understand that Jesus is God in God A natural person would not have the strength to come in and come out so easily The first stage in the courtroom would be enough So entering the 2nd stage of beatings with a crown of thorns on the head was not so easy to pass and then moved to the 3rd level of carrying the cross with blood pouring out all over and reached the cruxifition OMG The 7 words He preached on the cross to the whole world were to the point of the fulfillment of Gen 3:22 the last part that man was not destined to ertenal death but life
Crucifixion not cruxifition
‘…At the cross at the cross where i first saw the light,and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith that i received my sight…and now i am happy all the day!..’ the CROSS is everything. God bless. Blessed Easter. x