Day 39, Lent 2024: Good Friday - when he was nailed onto the cross for you.

 "Finally, Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be nailed to a cross. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.

"He had to carry his own cross. He went out to a place called the Skull. In the Aramaic language it was called Golgotha. There they nailed Jesus to the cross. Two other men were crucified with him. One was on each side of him. Jesus was in the middle.

"Pilate had a notice prepared. It was fastened to the cross. It read, jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews." (John 19:16-19)

I never have watched the movie The Passion of the Christ. I've never looked forward to Passion plays at church, where someone reenacts the terrible pain of the crucifixion. Why? I just can't stomach such cruelty.

The story of Jesus' death is a terrible story. So much suffering. So much humiliation and pain. Such undeserved brutality.

But each year we remember. We wonder again how God loved humanity so much that he gave his one and only Son to die for our sins.

Jesus took your place on that cross. He took my place, dying for the sins that were killing us, in the most horrible way.

Every year we remember. We thank God that he was nailed to the cross for us. We don't have to bear that suffering because he has already done it.

Challenge: Are you grateful? Or will you stand back in the mocking crowds to curse the beautiful scandalous cross?

Here's something to listen to and ponder.

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When you are ready to follow Jesus in gratitude for sins forgiven and the healing of the breach between you and God:

A Accept that you cannot save your self with good works, human efforts, or bribery. 
B Believe that God loves you and has paid the debt of sin and failure that you owe him. Believe that he wants to bring you near.
C Commit to turning your life over to God, confessing your sins to him and coming close so that you will follow him from now on.

We'd love to talk to you when you're ready - or if you have further questions. Contact us today?

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