Amazing Love
When we look for total commitment, there is no better example than the cross. Pain, humiliation, and death surrounded by love. An innocent gift of sacrifice given to us, the guilty, bringing us success and victory.
What did Jesus' commitment to us cause Him to go through? Let's take a closer look at his last few hours before his death.
Arrested in the garden by a friend, some religious leaders, and the law. Clothes and dignity were stripped, then He was laid prone over a wooden frame and His back exposed. Turned over to an expert in applying pain, who's tool of pain was a whip made of varied lengths of leather straps containing pieces of glass, sharp rocks, and pieces of bone tied to the ends. With a quick, well perfected stroke of the arm, the sharp objects would pierce the air, hungrily attacking the back and drawn down the back, opening up the skin. After 40 of those ripping strokes the back would be laid open, raw, and bleeding.
A purple robe was placed on Him, where the blood soaked in, and a quickly made crown out of thorns (measuring about 1 inch) forcibly jammed upon his head, pushed down into his skull. The masquerade was complete when a reed was placed in His hand, but the abuse had only began. They taunted Him, hit Him and even spit in His face.
Its incredible the amazing love He had for us.
Subjected to a mock trial, by those with questionable authority, who were not after justice, while "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!" surrounded Him. He knew the verdict and punishment, but would have taken another path if He could, knowing the pain and humiliation He faced. Having the power to stop it, but His commitment to obey His Father and His love for us was stronger than facing the cross.
Tied to the cross, taking the longest route to Golgatha where this Roman spectacle and heavenly plan of love would have it's completion. Forcibly laid on the wooden beam, hands and feet painfully pierced with iron spikes, He was nailed to the cross. The cross, raised and dropped into a hole, causing the tearing of the skin on the spikes. Suffering the pain and anguish, through this crucifixion, Jesus gave everything for us. What are we giving to Him?
ã Jim Ness
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