Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Broken on the Cross
Matthew 27:32-44    
                    

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)

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more