The Price for Our Sin, Matthew 27:32-47

Do people ever make fun of you? Do they laugh at you? Do they put you down or call you names? What about false accusations? Have you ever been falsely accused of something that you did not do? Have you ever felt like people just don’t understand you or who you are?

As Jesus was lead up to Golgotha, the place of His crucifixion, this is what He endured. He was mocked and beaten by Pilate’s soldiers. His clothes were taken from Him. A crown of thorns was placed on His head with blood running down his face. Isaiah 52:13-15 tells us that He was beyond recognition. Even when He was offered wine mixed with gall, a sedative to dull the pain, He refused. Jesus endured all the agony of the cross, and all that it meant. The soldiers put nails through His hands and feet and placed this man who had no sin, who had done nothing wrong, on a cross to die. He was among criminals, among common thieves. Can you imagine going through this yourself? Can you imagine how that must have felt?

As Jesus hung there on the cross, people who passed by continued to shout insults at Him. They taunted Him and challenged Him. Hadn’t He had enough? What would you do if you were falsely accused? Wouldn’t we stand up for ourselves, defend ourselves, prove that they are wrong. Jesus, the Son of God, said nothing to them. He stayed up there on that cross. He could have come down. But He chose to die voluntarily. If Jesus had responded to their words and had come down from the cross, He could not have completed God’s plan for Him and for our salvation.
As Jesus took on the sin of the world, darkness fell over Him and over the whole land. For the first time in His eternal existence, Jesus experienced separation from His Father. And so He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

The truth about ourselves

Aren't we often still blind to the truth? Especially about ourselves? Sometimes we don't want to admit how sinful we really are. We want to think we're good, and that we do good. It's hard to admit that we aren't. It's especially hard to hear it from someone else. In our pride, we think, "How dare they think I'm like that!" But the wise one is quick to listen, and slow to speak. Is there ANY truth in their accusation? (probably, more often than not.) Still, don't we blame others to take the focus off ourselves? We don't want it to be our fault. We don't want to face a bad situation knowing it is because of our own actions. What I really want is understanding, sympathy, and encouragement. Still, it's important to try and understand what our shortfalls are. To acknowledge them, repent and ask God to help us overcome. Because all too often, there will come a day when it's too late. We've missed our chance. There is no more understanding or sympathy. Our excuses are no longer valid.

Love vs. Anger

Did you ever think about how sweet and innocent falling in love is?...especially with God/Jesus? How it's everything good and pure.

How quickly that is ruined by our sin. Our angry, selfish, prideful thoughts. That innocent, loving, joyful feeling is gone. We've lost sight of Jesus. It's amazing how the simple, yet sharp contrast between the feeling of love and the feeling of anger provides such a clear picture of how holy God is and how evil even the simplest of sins is. How I hate my sin. How I want it all to go away.

The Privilege to Worship

I’m sitting in my office at work listening to Christian music. What a privilege this is. Most days, I listen to my co-worker’s music-main stream "junk," (like music by Britany Spears). It degrades and diminishes the worth of our souls. Christian music lifts up and nourishes our souls. To listen and to focus all my thoughts on Jesus and nothing else...It sets me on fire and puts me at peace at the same time.

There are places in this world where people are persecuted for their faith. They must worship in secret. Hearing Christian music must be such a rarity for them. I wonder what degrading things they are subjected to each day...with no retreat, no right to be treated fairly and equitable.

A Husband Full of Wisdom

As I was praying this morning, it occurred to me how wise my husband is, and I don’t give him credit for it. In self-pride, I think I have all the answers. I don’t take his opinions seriously when I should. Instead, I assume he’s only thinking of himself. It’s not a fair assessment. I must honestly consider his point of view, and be obedient to him. What woman wants to do this? Are there any? And yet, I’m learning, that although I may think he is wrong or I do not agree with him, the absolute best thing I can do is obey. It seems, things don’t really turn out as well when I choose to go my own way. Isn’t this what God wants from us. He prefers our obedience over our burnt offerings. Should I worry that Tom’s decisions, no matter how big or small may not match God’s plan for us? No. God is always in control. I have only to give myself over to Him and trust that He will work it out. He has proven His faithfulness time and again. And He does not change.

Doesn’t every man desire his wife to look upon her husband with adoration and acknowledge his wisdom? To support his decisions no matter how big or small. Why do women fear this so much? Aren’t we afraid that our voices will not be heard? Aren’t we afraid that it means our opinions have no significance in this life? It’s true that history proves this to be a valid fear. The women’s movement in America was a result of the oppression of women. Even today, history is made as other countries are persuaded to democracy and new rights for women who have been oppressed for decades. Where is the man who will stand up for the woman he loves and give her a voice. I believe he is found only in Jesus.
Still, while it may be our desire to fight our husbands to be heard. This is not what God calls us to do. And while our voices may be louder than our husband’s, we are not winning the fight. Instead, we are hurting our marriage, breaking it down. And we break down our husbands with it. Ironic isn’t it. Because in truth, don’t we also want a husband we can look upon with adoration, someone with great wisdom.