Tuesday, December 25, 2007
MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL !! :)
Reactions to the Cross
The army officer there saw what happened. He praised God, saying, "I know this man was a good man!" Many people had come out of the city to see this thing. When the people saw it, they felt very sorry and left. The people who were close friends of Jesus were there. Also, there were some women that had followed Jesus from Galilee. They all stood far away from the cross and watched these things. -- Luke 23:47-49 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:What happens in your heart when you think of Jesus on the Cross? Theseasoned Roman officer handling the execution praised God and knewJesus was not guilty of any crime. The crowd went home with deepsorrow. Jesus' friends watched from a distance. Which one bestdescribes your reaction? Why? Don't you find it amazing that probablythe least preferable reaction, the least exemplary, was the reaction ofJesus' friends. Let's not just be observers of the Cross, but peoplewho are deeply sorrowed by ours sins that took Jesus to the Cross.However, in our sorrow, let's make sure we don't let grief consume us.Instead, let's praise God for his grace and the salvation he hasprovided for us. Then, rather than going into hiding like the fearfulfriends of Jesus, let's go share the grace with others.
TODAY'S PRAYER:Holy and Almighty God, it breaks my heart that Jesus had to die as asacrifice for sin ... especially my sin. However, I praise you for yourplan of grace, for your desire to provide mercy at the expense of yourown heartbreak, and for your overwhelming love for people like me. InJesus' name. Amen.
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