It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. (Luke 23:44-49)
It has been a blessing to see how lovingly Jesus showed up in events during Passion Week over the last four days. In the examples of His life we see how we can live, but it is through His death that we can come alive. And so we come now to the greatest statement of love ever as we examine how Jesus showed up in death. The passage above is just a short excerpt from the crucifixion story. Today would be a good day to read the accounts in the Gospels (found in the following chapters: Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and John 19). As you consider the crucifixion story you will certainly see many Disciplines on display. Today though, we want to go back to where we started our journey. We want to focus on love. Without Jesus’ sacrifice of love we would not have salvation, but because of His sacrifice we can have abundant life.
Please prayerfully read the passage above and answer the questions below.
Today’s Questions for comments:
- What warms your heart about the crucifixion story?
- How do you share this with a world in need of Jesus?
April 3, 2015 at 7:39 am
What warms your heart about the crucifixion story?
His Love displayed for those around Him. Jesus spoke to a few people while on the cross, John to let him know to protect His mother, the thief who came to salvation and then His Father! His words tell the story of the a gospel and His love for me – Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit. That’s what I’ve done through Christ.
How do you share this with a world in need of Jesus?
I don’t do it enough but through prayer – asking the Lord to let me see my neighbors the way He saw me. Build a relationship and share my commitment to follow Christ.
April 3, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Christmas broke time in two as we use Jesus’ birth as a mark for our calendars. Calvary broke history in two. Before this day we had nothing. After, everything. People waited and looked forward to this day. We can look back and rejoice in what happened even if things looked so black for a while.
I share this with a world in need by living for Him as best as I can. Surrendered, dying to self. Sometimes it seems hard to break through what is a so familiar message to many that it bounces right off. I have to go the extra mile of saying it’s all because of Jesus who was my Substitute in death and my Redeemer in life.
Here’s a link to a favourite song of mine which captures this day so well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oxbYxNPKYw&feature=youtu.be
April 3, 2015 at 4:21 pm
What warms your heart about the crucifixion story? Our Lord WILLINGLY gave his life for us. Nowhere is it mentioned that He thought about what this meant for Him, that He pondered should He or not. Such pure Love.
How do you share this with a world in need of Jesus? By trying to live the example laid out for me, constantly putting myself in the “If the shoe was on the other foot senario” by coming out of my comfort zone and intentionally forming relationships with people, that years ago I wouldn’t have. By anticipating the needs of others and trying to see them as Jesus does.
April 3, 2015 at 8:47 pm
What warms my heart about the crucifixion is that my core need to be forgiven by a righteous God was satisfied. When Jesus said “It is finished.”, sins grip was broken and I could be pardoned. I share with others by letting them know where my peace comes from. It comes from the assurance that Jesus “paid it all”.
April 3, 2015 at 10:07 pm
Commentators, thank you so much for your powerful testimonies! As we are overwhelmed by the love of Jesus displayed on the cross we are compelled to share our joy. As someone once said, sharing the gospel is like one person who was dying of thirst finding water and telling other thirsty people.
Jesus met our greatest need on the cross and that should warm our hearts and inspire us to share. Remember the Disciplines are just tools; love is the motivator. Gordon thanks for sharing that great song. Here is another one for Good Friday:
April 3, 2015 at 11:05 pm
What warms your heart about the crucifixion story?
A song that was on my heart/mind over the past several days is, “If that isn’t love” The question remains why would the Lord do what he did for me. The answer is of course “Love”, as we see repeatedly in the scriptures. But can I say that I have come to realize that the love that moved the Lord to do what he did was not solely a love for us. It was equally (if not more) a love for His Father. I haven’t fully captured the thought but I believe we are the beneficiaries of a love relationship that we can never understand on this side of heaven. Nevertheless, I thank God for His love.
◾How do you share this with a world in need of Jesus? I need to live a life that reflects my love for the Lord, which therefore translate to love for others. They will ask why do you live the way you do? I will have an opportunity to explain how it began for me and share how it can begin for them.
April 4, 2015 at 9:22 am
The crucifixion story warms my heart because it is a beautiful love story. Jesus displayed the ultimate act of love for us by giving up His life. The amazing part of this story is that Jesus rose again, is in heaven with His Father, and continues to show his love for us on daily basis.
Living a life in the way Jesus teaches us in the Bible, and therefore be a shining light that others can’t miss, is a perfect way to share Jesus with the world.