The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in John 10:17-18,
"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
How baffled I was when I first ever heard the accusation that Jews were "Jesus killers." Those dastardly Jews took Jesus' life! Of course the accusation was made by non-Jews for some kind of cover for their hatred of God's chosen people. The world hates God, hates what God does, hates what belongs to God and certainly hates (with startling viciousness!) God's people. I might mention that it is not only Jews the ill-informed unbelievers hate, but Christians as well. Just look at the fruit-loop characterization of Christians in the movies that come out of Hollywood.
My bafflement (is that really a word?) was due to the knowledge that it was an occupying Roman governor that had Jesus put to death. Yes, the Jews demanded it, but it was Gentiles who did the dirty work.
That was not the greatest cause for my incredulity, however. What mystified me the most was knowing that no one took Jesus life - he gave it. None of the gospels can be understood correctly without seeing Jesus himself manipulating people and the events that would take place on Calvary. Jesus came to die. I suspect in order to ensure there could be no accusation made by one group against another, Jesus arranged his death such that both Jew and Gentile would be implicated. Sinful mankind put the Son of God to death, however, he determined it would happen and arranged that it should take place exactly as it did.
Who actually put Jesus on the cross was you and me. We did it. Out of an incomprehensible love for us, Jesus determined to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could live an abundant eternal life with him. Hence, it was our sins that motivated the Son of God to come to earth to die a miserable death on that cross.
"For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2. No one took Jesus' life. He gave it... and he gave it joyfully!
"No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
How baffled I was when I first ever heard the accusation that Jews were "Jesus killers." Those dastardly Jews took Jesus' life! Of course the accusation was made by non-Jews for some kind of cover for their hatred of God's chosen people. The world hates God, hates what God does, hates what belongs to God and certainly hates (with startling viciousness!) God's people. I might mention that it is not only Jews the ill-informed unbelievers hate, but Christians as well. Just look at the fruit-loop characterization of Christians in the movies that come out of Hollywood.
My bafflement (is that really a word?) was due to the knowledge that it was an occupying Roman governor that had Jesus put to death. Yes, the Jews demanded it, but it was Gentiles who did the dirty work.
That was not the greatest cause for my incredulity, however. What mystified me the most was knowing that no one took Jesus life - he gave it. None of the gospels can be understood correctly without seeing Jesus himself manipulating people and the events that would take place on Calvary. Jesus came to die. I suspect in order to ensure there could be no accusation made by one group against another, Jesus arranged his death such that both Jew and Gentile would be implicated. Sinful mankind put the Son of God to death, however, he determined it would happen and arranged that it should take place exactly as it did.
Who actually put Jesus on the cross was you and me. We did it. Out of an incomprehensible love for us, Jesus determined to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could live an abundant eternal life with him. Hence, it was our sins that motivated the Son of God to come to earth to die a miserable death on that cross.
"For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2. No one took Jesus' life. He gave it... and he gave it joyfully!
"No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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