November 4
Mark 15:21-24; Matthew 27:32-34; Luke 23:26-31; John 19:17; Mark 15:25-32; Matthew 27:35-44; Luke 23:32-43; John 19:18-27; Mark 15:33-41; Matthew 27:45-56; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-37
Have you ever been yelled at? Have you had to stare at the anger on someone’s face while harsh words flew out of their mouths? If you have been there, know you are not alone in that experience. As Jesus hung on the cross, many people yelled at him to save himself. In Mark, those who passed by said "Come down from the cross and save yourself." Similarly, in Matthew, they are reported as saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself." Luke also quotes the people standing around the cross as saying, "He saved others; let him save himself." They wanted to see Jesus perform a powerful miracle of self-preservation (or just wanted to mock a dying man), but that is not why Jesus came. He came to die so he might save others.
The cross displays the love of God, the humility of Jesus, and his willingness to obey the Father to the end. What a powerful display! Jesus did not save himself so that we might be saved. When the crowds yelled one thing, Jesus did not give them what they wanted; instead, through his death, he gave everyone what they needed. He persevered in love and faithfulness, despite the hostility he faced.
Father God, thank you for my salvation. Thank you that Jesus willingly died so that I might have life. Help me to persevere in following his example. Amen.
When facing hostility, how can you follow Jesus’ example?
Have you ever been yelled at? Have you had to stare at the anger on someone’s face while harsh words flew out of their mouths? If you have been there, know you are not alone in that experience. As Jesus hung on the cross, many people yelled at him to save himself. In Mark, those who passed by said "Come down from the cross and save yourself." Similarly, in Matthew, they are reported as saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself." Luke also quotes the people standing around the cross as saying, "He saved others; let him save himself." They wanted to see Jesus perform a powerful miracle of self-preservation (or just wanted to mock a dying man), but that is not why Jesus came. He came to die so he might save others.
The cross displays the love of God, the humility of Jesus, and his willingness to obey the Father to the end. What a powerful display! Jesus did not save himself so that we might be saved. When the crowds yelled one thing, Jesus did not give them what they wanted; instead, through his death, he gave everyone what they needed. He persevered in love and faithfulness, despite the hostility he faced.
Father God, thank you for my salvation. Thank you that Jesus willingly died so that I might have life. Help me to persevere in following his example. Amen.
When facing hostility, how can you follow Jesus’ example?
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