Good Friday…the day Jesus died on the cross. He carried the burden
of the world on him, my sins. He did not have to, but he chose to because he
knew how much the Father loved us. God loved
us so much that he sent his only son into this world to die on a cross for the
sins of the people. Those people worshiped him when he did miracles and taught
the law, but under the pressure of the world and selfish desires, they turned
their backs on him and demanded he, the Messiah, be crucified. They spit on
him, cursed him and gambled for his clothing. Those same people who rejoiced
when he turned water into wine, healed the blind and the lepers and brought the
dead back to live, now yelled and jeered at him, choosing to be blinded by his
real mission on Earth. Now you make think, “Oh I would never be one of those
people. I would never leave Christ’s side.” But would you? If under pressure,
would you fall into the temptations of the world and pride? How would you feel
to be one of the few standing at the foot of the cross and people were yelling
at you? Would pride get to you? As I stood at the foot of the cross for Easter
Pageant, mourning with Mary Magdalene, Salome, Mary and Martha, Johanna, Mary,
the mother of James, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. I listened to the people
screaming things at the Chosen One and at me. “Why do you worship this man?” “He’s
on a cross and can’t save you now.” “Look there’s your Savior on a cross.” While
all of that was just acting, I began to think that I wouldn't be standing here
with these women, but would be in the middle of the crowd. Yelling at Christ
and his faithful followers, not even thinking about how it must have hurt them
and even worse, hurt Christ. As a Christian, one of my worst fears is that I
will disappoint or hurt God by my actions. We criticize and judge those who
were yelling and yet we do that daily. Not necessarily yelling at God, but we
question His plans, we curse Him, we ignore Him, and we don’t stand up for our
beliefs. What is wrong with this world and Christians today? We should strive
to be like those women at the cross and the disciples who stood their ground
and did not falter when the world pressured them. God gave up so much for us
and yet we don’t acknowledge it. Today
visualize yourself standing at the cross watching your Savior die for your sins…for
you. Listen to the people yelling around you. Listen to the curse words, the
jeering, and everything else, will you join in? Or will you quietly stand with
the women and let it sink in what Christ is doing. Your Savior, Messiah,
Redeemer and Friend is taking your sins upon his shoulders when that could have
been you on the cross. Get on your face today and thank God for such a
sacrifice that we definitely don’t deserve.
