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 Matthew 27:40-43,
"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!... He saved others... 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. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"
These were the insults thrown at Jesus as he hung on that miserable cross. Passersby, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders all mocked him as he hung there.
I'm sure the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders all felt some vindication, or at least some consolation as their antagonist, Jesus Christ, was dying on that cross. Jesus had challenged these leaders of the Jews, their teachings, their lifestyles, the misuse of the positions they held. They must have felt some measure of satisfaction in the false sense that the victory of the day was theirs.
Nothing could have been further from the truth. The spiritual dark side had no idea what was transpiring on that cross! Jesus was now fulfilling the purpose for which he came: to "save his people from their sins", Matthew 1:21. He made of himself a ransom for all who would embrace him in faith and these leaders of the Jews now had become Jesus' "useful idiots" (to borrow a quote), doing his bidding by putting him to death (through the Romans). A master manipulator, a cunning tactician, with skillful precision he effected God's grand plan of the redemption of mankind.
These arrogant and corrupt politicians were merely pawns in his hands as they taunted Jesus and made sport of him. One day each and every one of these poor lost souls will have to stand in front of the very one they mocked to beg for their eternal destiny.
However, they won't be alone. All who reject Jesus Christ, all who fail to embrace him in faith will share in their fate. It not need be that way. After all, that very taking of his life on that day brought about payment for all the sins of all mankind - for all who will embrace him in faith. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12-13.
"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!... He saved others... 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. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"
These were the insults thrown at Jesus as he hung on that miserable cross. Passersby, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders all mocked him as he hung there.
I'm sure the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders all felt some vindication, or at least some consolation as their antagonist, Jesus Christ, was dying on that cross. Jesus had challenged these leaders of the Jews, their teachings, their lifestyles, the misuse of the positions they held. They must have felt some measure of satisfaction in the false sense that the victory of the day was theirs.
Nothing could have been further from the truth. The spiritual dark side had no idea what was transpiring on that cross! Jesus was now fulfilling the purpose for which he came: to "save his people from their sins", Matthew 1:21. He made of himself a ransom for all who would embrace him in faith and these leaders of the Jews now had become Jesus' "useful idiots" (to borrow a quote), doing his bidding by putting him to death (through the Romans). A master manipulator, a cunning tactician, with skillful precision he effected God's grand plan of the redemption of mankind.
These arrogant and corrupt politicians were merely pawns in his hands as they taunted Jesus and made sport of him. One day each and every one of these poor lost souls will have to stand in front of the very one they mocked to beg for their eternal destiny.
However, they won't be alone. All who reject Jesus Christ, all who fail to embrace him in faith will share in their fate. It not need be that way. After all, that very taking of his life on that day brought about payment for all the sins of all mankind - for all who will embrace him in faith. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12-13.
Make your choice today...
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.
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.
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