Today’s Reading: Psalm 22:1-11 Today’s Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19a “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself.”
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Did the Father really forsake the Son on the cross, or did Jesus only feel forsaken? Did He suffer only as a man, as some people suggest, or did He suffer as God?
It is necessary for a holy God to turn His face away from sin. He turned His face away …
Today’s Reading: Mark 15:33-34 Today’s Reference: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
If Mary’s heart was wrung at the foot of the cross, how much more anguish was in the heart of the Father! This was the Son in whom He was “well pleased,” the Son with whom He had communed from before the beginning of time. Now the Father had to watch that Son die in agony. But …
Today’s Reading: Matthew 27:45-46 Today’s Reference: Nahum 1:6 “Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.”
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
No longer does Jesus say, “Father.” Into the thick, unnatural darkness that covered the land during the last three hours of His dying, He cries out to express His pain at separation from God. But still He says, “My God,” trusting even through despair.
Today’s Reading: Mark 10:35-45 Today’s Reference: Mark 3:34b-35 “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
“Behold, your mother!”
When Jesus was arrested, the disciples all fled in terror and shame. The only one at the foot of the cross that day was John. Apparently he also had fled. Imagine his guilt as he slunk back to the One he’d promised to serve—the One in whose kingdom he’d hoped to be exalted!
Now imagine his incredulous joy, even at such a painful time, when Jesus entrusted …
Today’s Reading: John 19:23-27 Today’s Reference: Luke 2:34-35a “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also)…’"
“Woman, behold, your son!”
I wonder if Mary thought of Simeon’s words as she stood at the foot of the cross. If she hadn’t understood them before, she did now, all too painfully. And when she heard Jesus tell John to assume His duties as eldest son, the last shred …
Today’s Reading: Luke 23:39-43 Today's Reference: Matthew 12:30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Do you realize that both thieves offer up a prayer? The unrepentant thief said, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” That’s a prayer. He wasn’t so concerned about eternity. He said, “Just get me off this cross.” He prayed and yet was lost forever, because he cared only for physical deliverance in the here and now.
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 53 Today’s Reference: 1 Corinthians 1:23, 25 “Be we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles…For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
When He said those words, Jesus didn’t look much like He could fulfill them. Isaiah 53 paints a graphic picture: crushed, stricken, with no beauty or majesty in His physical form. We can only imagine the blood matted into His hair, the raw flesh, the struggles …
Today’s reading: Luke 23:39-43 Today’s Reference: 1 Chronicles 29:14b, 16 “For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you…O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.”
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
The Bible doesn’t elaborate on his crimes. He’s just a common thief, and at first he joined in the mockery against Jesus. Observing Jesus’ behavior as the crowd taunted “The King of the Jews” planted …
Today’s Reading: Acts 3:11-26 Today’s Reference: Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Was this prayer answered? We must realize that this was not a blanket prayer for everyone involved in Christ’s crucifixion; not everyone who participated in this crime was forgiven. But Jesus foreknew that many of those who put Him to death would indeed later repent, and He prayed God would let His blood cover their sin. God forgives those who ask. Yes, the prayer was answered for …
Today’s Reading: Matthew 27:39-44 Today’s Reference: Hebrews 2:2-3a “For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Have you ever justified yourself, “Well, it’s just a tiny sin, not a bad one?” When we do that, you and I are one with the mockers who treated Jesus’ death with contempt—the people He prayed for on the Cross.
Looked at in one way, we are actually worse. Those who …
