Death awaited Jesus in Jerusalem, where He would die for the sins of the world. John the Baptist had a prophecy when Jesus began His ministry three years earlier. He proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Before going to Jerusalem, Jesus had a meaningful …
We see one criminal crucified next to Jesus trusting a dying king. Luke 23: 40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into …
The Romans put a signboard on the cross stating the condemned person’s crime as a warning. Jesus’ signboard said King of the Jews. The Jewish leadership considered the title of king to be false. But, ironically, this was the truth. Pilate knew that Jesus had claimed to be king, but it was not of this …
The mockers at the cross didn’t understand the significance of the cross. If Jesus saves Himself, He can’t save you. Jesus’ reputation of healing was well known. Even the Roman soldiers and a thief on the cross mocked Jesus’ seeming feebleness on the cross. The Jewish leadership had gotten just what they wanted: the death …
Being spiritually blind is something we are unaware of, but it affects our daily lives. As Jesus hung on the cross, we are confronted with His incredible compassion and the lack of concern of the Roman soldiers. Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled …
Forgiving in the face of suffering is one of Jesus’ most extraordinary acts of compassion and mercy as He suffers on the cross. Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[1] As we reflect on this verse, we see …
Missing a spiritual opportunity is something we might not even be aware of. Often, the busyness of this world and our selfishness close our eyes to what God is doing. As you walk along your spiritual journey, pay attention to what God is doing around you and ask Him for wisdom so you do not …
When the Lord puzzles us is an experience all believers face at some time along their faith journey. While the Lord sees the bigger picture of what He is doing and where He is going, that isn’t always that clear to the sheep of His pasture. The night before His crucifixion, Jesus gathered His disciples …
New seasons in life often mean times of change. We all have our favorite seasons, but without changing the seasons, there would not be a growth and production cycle. Winter is my least favorite season, but the ground could not rest without it. Spring is a wonderful season when seeds are planted and begin to …