Have you
ever thought about why Jesus died on the cross? I’m not talking about just
recognizing once a year when Easter rolls around that Jesus died on the cross
for your sins. I’m saying have you ever REALLY taken the time to think about why
Jesus died on the cross?
This week
I’ve been trying to spend my daily devotion time reading the different accounts
of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. I figured it would be a good way to
prepare myself for the upcoming Easter weekend. As I was reading on Thursday, I
started to think about something I have never really thought about before. I
was reading Luke 23:32-43.
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to
be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified
him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what
they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said,
“He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37
and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written
notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you
the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,”
he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for
we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus
answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
While reading this passage I began to think about Jesus
hanging on the cross. Some of my thoughts were as follows:
“Imagine how awful that must have been!”
“How dare all those Roman soldiers and bystanders mock
Jesus! It’s your sin He’s dying for!!”
Then it hit me…the words echoed in my head. “It’s your sin
He’s dying for…”
IT’S MY SIN HE DIED FOR.
I’m the reason Jesus hung on the cross. You’re the reason He
hung on the cross.
Let me repeat that: WE ARE THE REASON JESUS HUNG ON THE CROSS.
I feel like sometimes we get caught up in reading the “story”
of the crucifixion. And we read it as just that, a story. We forget that Jesus
was a real man, who lived a real life, who died a VERY real death, and then
REALLY rose from the dead three days later.
Like, that really happened, y’all!
When Jesus said “Father, forgive them, for they do not know
what they are doing.” He wasn’t just talking about the Roman soldiers, and the
religious leaders, and the bystanders!! HE WAS TALKING ABOUT ME! HE WAS TALKING
ABOUT YOU!
Because we’re sinners, we are all the reason Jesus died on
the cross.
THE GOOD NEWS: (and I know some of you have heard this a
million times, but don’t write me off yet!)
God, the creator of the entire universe, the one who
literally spoke (LIKE LITERALLY SPOKE) the universe into existence, He loves
you SO much that He sent His son to die in your place.
NEWSFLASH: If you haven’t figured it out by now, IT WAS
SUPPOSE TO BE US ON THE CROSS!
But God loved you so much that He sent his only son to take
your place.
Jesus was a real man, who lived a pure and blameless life, and
died so that you and I may be forgiven.
He came to Earth to pay
a debt he did not owe, because we owed a debt we could not pay.
·
John 3:16
·
Romans 5:8
·
2 Corinthians 5:21
Maybe you’re reading this today, and you’re thinking “Well,
Hannah, I’ve heard all this before. But this Jesus thing just isn’t for me.”
Let me explain something to you: Jesus is for everybody.
When Jesus died on the cross, he didn’t just die for the
preachers out there, he didn’t just die for the missionaries, he didn’t just
die for the “good people.”
Because none of us are good (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23)
Jesus died for every single person that has ever and will
ever walk on the face of the Earth.
Adolf Hitler? Jesus died for him.
Osama Bin Laden? Jesus died for him.
Hannah Smith? Jesus died for ME.
Jesus died for everyone knowing that some would never love
him back.
But for those who do love Him back, the payoff is pretty
great! We get to live a life full of joy, as we serve the one who saved us from
death. Then, one day, we get to spend eternity in a marvelous place called
Heaven. ( I’m secretly hoping God has a pink castle and an eternal supply
of Reese’s cups with my name on them up there! Haha!)
But seriously, there are a couple of things I want you to
take away from this post:
1.
Your
sins are the reason Jesus died on the cross
2.
God’s
love for YOU is also why Jesus died on the cross
3.
Jesus
is for everybody that is willing to admit they need a savior, turn from sin,
and love and follow Jesus eagerly.
Jesus left his throne to come to Earth, lived a blameless
life, and died a death that he did not deserve. He died for YOU! And three days
later he rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven. He is now sitting on his
throne at the right hand of God.
Praise HIS holy name!
Remember how much HE loves you!
Hannah ♥
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