holy week devotions: friday, The Cross

CLICK HERE TO READ Luke 23:26-49

From Brother Mike: 

This handmade woodburning artwork was created by Jennie Minter, our church secretary at Frankston UMC, as a Christmas gift for me in 2018.

Inscribed here are: “I Am, Jesus, Mighty God, Lord of Lords, Deliverer, Everlasting Father, Name Above All Names, Redeemer, Prince of Peace, Holy One, King of Kings, Emmanuel, Messiah, Savior.”

Jesus is all of this and more. John says that Jesus is the Logos, the Word made flesh through whom everything and everyone but God was created. But the creation was not Jesus’ defining moment. That moment came on a Thursday evening through Friday afternoon, when Jesus decided to give everything he had for the redemption of the creatures he loved.

Jesus was very clear about what was going on that Friday on Calvary: “No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.” John 10:18.

It is ridiculous for us to have discussions about whether the Romans or the Jews were responsible for killing Jesus. The simple truth is that you and I killed Jesus by being sinners – we are all equally guilty and equally forgiven ... if we are willing to accept God’s forgiveness.

The Cross is the ultimate sign of God’s love for us. How far is God willing to go in pursuit of us sinners who want to do things our way? God is willing to go to the grave for us. And not through an easy death but through perhaps the most horrific death that human beings have ever designed (and we have given killing each other a lot of thought).

When we ask, “God, how much do you love me?” Jesus spreads his nail-scarred hands far apart and says, “I love you this much!” So, whenever we see a cross, in whatever form it may be, we need to see love, forgiveness and grace.

Feel the Love,
Brother Mike