Matthew 27:32-44 32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.
38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “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!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “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. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Chris Doi
Japanese Christian Church
Observation: Jesus, You amaze me that You did not take the easy way out by coming down from the cross, even with people around taunting You. You stayed on that cross, knowing that Your suffering and death would bring lasting freedom and joy for me as a sinner.
Action: Father, thank You for Your love expressed through the sacrifice of Your beloved Son Jesus. Let me not waver and compromise my faith while witnessing for Christ in the face of opposition. Also, I trust You to help me not shirk away from making tough decisions that fall in line with Your will.
OBSERVATION: I am without words as I read and re-read this passage. This love, in the midst of such hard hearts, is it not the greatest miracle ever known?
In Gethsemane, Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. In contrast, at the cross, I am overwhelmed with love, to the point of life.
ACTION: I will meditate on and let the impact of His love seep into the hard places of my heart. Holy Spirit, melt those places, and transform them with this divine love.
Thank you Chris, for your thoughtful sharing today. I too am seeing Jesus amazing commitment, and miraculous love (Thank you Rosemary!)
My action today will be to examine one particular area of my life and reflect on how I can develop a commitment to it that is “powered by” God’s miraculous love.
Observation: I see Guards playing games at the foot of the cross. Many people are close to the cross in this scene, but far from Christ. I see Jesus eyes of compassion looking upon them in mercy.
Action: My heart this week is to carry my cross not by force like simon, but because I am close enough to see Jesus eyes of love for me.
OBSERVATION: The voices of dissent never let up on Jesus. From early doubts by his own family to the last minutes of His life. But he remained committed to His path because He had heard from the Father. Those voices of dissent were/are/will be met with the redemptive action of Jesus.
ACTION: I will continually make space to listen for the Father’s voice and do what He says. I will continue to trim away obligations I’ve impulsively filled my time with.