No 6. The Crucifixion Today
Today has a heavy feeling to it. The air seems heavier and each decision feels meaningless in light of what our Savior is enduring on the cross almost 2,000 years ago. Every year, I try imagining what place I would hold if I were to be in the time period that Jesus walked the earth. I try to imagine where I would be standing as Jesus took his last breath. Every fiber of my being WANTS to be with the Mary’s but if I’m being honest, I would be demanding Jesus to save himself… I am more like the thief on the cross that railed at Jesus to “prove himself and save himself” (Luke 23:39).
I wouldn’t mind to be just a part of the crowd, to busy to attend or in hiding with the other disciples, but in my present life, I have been convicted lately that I seek the Lord’s hand, provision, “proof” of Jesus’s divinity more often than I seek him… my Creator, Redeemer, Savior and King. The other thief on the cross, beside Jesus, just saw him, and knew there was more. The thief deserved his punishment but somehow knew, in the face and suffering of Jesus, he was safe and accepted (Luke 23:40-43). In his own suffering he was still able to turn and repent… in quite literally his last hour.
What if we didn’t have to wait for our “last hour” or trials and tribulations, that we cannot overcome in our human strength, to turn to God? Jesus bore our sin, paid the debt we owe, that we may die to our sin and live in righteousness, right standing, with God (1 Peter 2:24). But He did not take our place… We are more like the thieves to the right and left of Jesus. We have a choice every moment we are breathing on this earth to seek HIS will or to seek our own will and rail God when is doesn’t go to plan.
Let’s make our decisions count today… maybe you’ve fallen into sin - maybe you walked there on purpose - but let’s take back today, in the name of Jesus. Turn and repent, seek his face and move toward him, and you will bring Heaven down. In the end, we will be held accountable to our actions (2 Corinthians 5:10)… Let that sink in a little… our ACTIONS. Not the kind thoughts we may have had towards someone or wishing someone would find Jesus and come to church, but how we use our hands, feet and tongue in this broken world to bring light to dark spaces. Like the thieves beside Jesus, some of us, by his grace, will have our names sealed in the book of life and some of us won’t (Revelation 20).
Take a moment to see your neighbor today. Inspite of whatever heaviness, grief or hardship you carry, it will never outweigh the cross. You have the time and God is so diligent to provide his divine power for the one lost sheep… every soul matters to him. Let’s fill the book of life and rejoice with the Heavens (Luke 15: 1-7).
Love always, Sommer…
