Daily Devotionals

april 2, 2021

This is the final week of Lent, traditionally called “Holy Week.” All of the devotions are centered on the Biblical events of this week.


It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!" In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah." And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

 

Mark 15:25-37

There is a scene toward the end of Mel Gibson’s 2004 film The Passion of the Christ that grips me every time I watch the movie. (Okay, the entire movie grips me, but this scene especially so.) Jesus has carried the cross to Golgotha and collapses when he gets there. He then rolls over onto his hands and knees and crawls to the cross.

 

I remember sitting in the theater the first time I saw the movie and having the thought, “He did that for me. He sought out the cross, for me.” He did not avoid it, He did not have to be dragged to it, and no one told Him to get on it.

 

He sought out the cross, for me.

 

I know, it’s Hollywood, and it’s Mel Gibson’s particular vision of what happened. But still… to think that Jesus chose to endure the cross—and not only for me but for you as well. When His bloodied, broken body breathed its last, the price was paid, and our forgiveness was fulfilled.

 

He chose this. For YOU.

For Reflection


How difficult is it for you to fathom the cross?


How does the reality of Jesus’s sacrifice and gift for you change the way you live your life on a daily basis?

Prayer


Jesus, I confess that far too often I overlook the terrible price You paid when You chose the cross. I admit that I take Your sacrifice too much for granted. Forgive me and help me today to slow down, reflect on that great price, and consider how I could respond to it. Amen.

Dr. Chuck Roberts
Senior Associate Pastor
404-842-5883