John 13:1 “...knowing that His hour had come…”
Apr 11, 2017 18:44:21 GMT -6
Post by Todd on Apr 11, 2017 18:44:21 GMT -6
The lot had fallen to me. I am going to drive spikes through His hands and feet and nail Jesus to this cross. My emotions were so ragged. I know He has done nothing worthy of crucifixion, but I have to follow orders. My comrades did not know it, but I had been following and watching Jesus for many days. He had shown such love and kindness to so many, and now this cruelty given in return.
Sometimes we used ropes to tie the arms of our victims to be still, but this time we had guards who held each of His arms and body still so he couldn’t move his limb when I lifted the maul. Jesus did not resist. He turned His head and looked into my eyes. Blood was still oozing down His face from the crown of thorns that some had made for him. At the edge of His mouth was a slight smile of approval of what I was going to do. It was almost as if He gave me permission. It was as if He was in control of this execution. He glanced at the maul and then looked at His hand. Then slowly His eyes met mine. He was motioning for me to do my job. My eyes began to cloud as I lifted the maul.
The spike plunged through His flesh and into the wood. His sudden gasp stunned me. Droplets of blood splattered on my face. The spike went between the bones. None were broken. I groaned as I forced myself to nail the other hand and then His feet to the cross. Each time he uttered a hard gasp and then swallowed the pain.
His flesh tore again as we dropped the cross down into the hole dug for His cross. There were more gasps of pain. I said to myself, “I’ve done it.” Then I joined the onlookers, mockers, and weepers.
As I stood there, it became increasingly clear to me that we soldiers were not in charge. He allowed us to capture, torture and publicly humiliate Him. He had disappeared in times before when some sought Him. I knew He could escape anytime He had wished. It was He who was in charge. It was not what we were doing that day. It was what He was doing that day.
He was doing all this for us. He had planned this day. It was the hour for which He had come. He was doing it for me. And on that day – He did so much more for me – for us. Tears were welling up in me as I began to realize how much Jesus loves me.
Jesus took your sins to the cross – and claimed them as His own – and suffered at the hands of man and at the hand of His Father – so you and I could have forgiveness for sins and the new birth. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor 5:21
Will you believe in His great work for you? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!
Gene Whitehurst
Sometimes we used ropes to tie the arms of our victims to be still, but this time we had guards who held each of His arms and body still so he couldn’t move his limb when I lifted the maul. Jesus did not resist. He turned His head and looked into my eyes. Blood was still oozing down His face from the crown of thorns that some had made for him. At the edge of His mouth was a slight smile of approval of what I was going to do. It was almost as if He gave me permission. It was as if He was in control of this execution. He glanced at the maul and then looked at His hand. Then slowly His eyes met mine. He was motioning for me to do my job. My eyes began to cloud as I lifted the maul.
The spike plunged through His flesh and into the wood. His sudden gasp stunned me. Droplets of blood splattered on my face. The spike went between the bones. None were broken. I groaned as I forced myself to nail the other hand and then His feet to the cross. Each time he uttered a hard gasp and then swallowed the pain.
His flesh tore again as we dropped the cross down into the hole dug for His cross. There were more gasps of pain. I said to myself, “I’ve done it.” Then I joined the onlookers, mockers, and weepers.
As I stood there, it became increasingly clear to me that we soldiers were not in charge. He allowed us to capture, torture and publicly humiliate Him. He had disappeared in times before when some sought Him. I knew He could escape anytime He had wished. It was He who was in charge. It was not what we were doing that day. It was what He was doing that day.
He was doing all this for us. He had planned this day. It was the hour for which He had come. He was doing it for me. And on that day – He did so much more for me – for us. Tears were welling up in me as I began to realize how much Jesus loves me.
Jesus took your sins to the cross – and claimed them as His own – and suffered at the hands of man and at the hand of His Father – so you and I could have forgiveness for sins and the new birth. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor 5:21
Will you believe in His great work for you? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!
Gene Whitehurst