Matthew 27:38-50 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli,lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah." Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him." And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. | | When Jesus was nailed on the cross, everyone called upon Him to come down from the cross, and some even ridiculed Him. If you were Jesus, how would you react? Thank God that the Lord didn't allow the flesh to win. The women who were looking from a distance also wished the Lord could just come down from the cross. Maybe they were thinking: "Lord, why don't you just come down, so that these people can witness your authority and your power!" . The most intolerable thing on the cross for Jesus was the silence of Father God. The Lord was on earth, He was accustomed to communicating with Father God and listening to His voice. When Jesus was baptized, a voice descended from above: "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well-please." When Jesus transfigured on the mountain top, a voice also descended from above: "This is my beloved son, hear him." When Jesus was facing the path of suffering, He prayed to God: "Father, may your name receive glory." The was also a voice from heaven: "My name is already glorified, and will receive more glory." When Jesus was hung on the cross, however, Father God remained completely silent. That's why Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" . Did Father God want to forsake His beloved son? He didn't, but at that moment He had to bear all the sins of the world, including sins of you and me. Therefore, God had to cover His face and not see His own beloved son, in order for Jesus to bear the punishment for all our sins. Romans 5:8 says that "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Brothers and sisters, do you truly understand the Lord's sacrificial love for you? Let us respond to the Lord today with more love for Him! | | Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, we thank you for bearing all our sins on the cross. We thank you that you didn't let your flesh win, but because your great love for us you defeated all the temptations from the flesh. May the Lord's love enter our hearts, bring us true deliverance, so that we may happily live for you each and every day. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! | | | | | | |
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