3-22-24

Matt 27:32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “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!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “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. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

God came down to earth because of Love. He lived as a man for 33 yrs. so that he could feel empathy for us, because of Love. He healed people and performed miracles, because of Love. He taught people about God, because of Love. He endured insults, pain and suffering, because of Love. He was hung on a cross in the most brutal manner of death known to man, because of Love.

God gave us his word, because of Love. There is literally an answer to every one of life’s problems in this book. Today, there is so much going on in the world, so much uncertainty, so much violence, so much pain and fear. But God has it covered. Look to the book. Look to God. He knew this day was coming, and all the days to come, will not surprise him. Nothing that has happened or will happen is a surprise to him, he has allowed it all. He is in control. God could have sent Angels to take Jesus off of the cross, but he sacrificed HIS son for us. If Jesus had not died, we would be condemned. God is so perfect that he needed the perfect sacrifice to cover our sins. Jesus was the only one. Could you watch your child go through what Jesus went through? Could you abandon them in their hour of need? God did this for us! Because of Love.

Shirlene Peterson