[RE]FOCUS Day 47
Week 7: Redeeming
Day 5: Crucifixion
By Pastor Chris Troxel
READ:
Mark 15:24, 34, 39 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take…And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”…And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Sometimes we’re the soldiers. Sometimes we’re the centurion. I love food. I love to eat to the extent that I have missed social and biological cues as to when to stop. I’m just there, getting as much as I can in the moment. Sometimes I’m exactly like one of the soldiers: unaware of the significance of the moment, completely distracted and invested in clutching as much as the moment affords, with no regard for the consequences.
Sometimes I’m all too aware of the tragedy I see before me. In working with families whose loved ones have died, I walk with them as best I can, but I cannot change what has happened. Death happened. I have faith or I don’t, I utter words I may or may not understand, but they are no less true: Jesus is truly the Son of God.
Jesus is the One on the cross. He is the One who died in my place. His sacrifice means my failures no longer condemn me before God. In His presence, I’m simply His son, saved by the True Son. What was intended and used as the most brutal punishment, Jesus took for me. Because He did, His love and goodness transform a symbol of death and shame to a sacred reminder and daily call. Because of the cross and faith, no matter who I am, Jesus calls me back to God’s family and calls me onward to follow him to love other soldiers and centurions.
PRAY:
Jesus, in Your death, in redeeming us You also redeemed the cross. It is now a permanent witness of the depth of Your love, and symbol of what our life becomes in You. Teach us how to die to ourselves, to the sin that so easily entangles, and run with You, the One who conquered sin and death with love and life. Show us how to live this life and love the ones who need Your light and Your peace. Amen.
LIVE:
How does the cross at the same time teach you about Jesus and about your new life in Him?