The Cross

Luke 23

Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head, then mocked Him,
saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they led Jesus to a place of death called The Skull. They nailed His hands and feet to a rough wooden cross. Two criminals also hung on crosses, one on each side of Jesus.

From the cross, Jesus looked down on the people—the very ones who were killing Him—and said, "Forgive them, Father, for they don't know what they are doing."

Some of the people made fun of Jesus, calling out, "You saved others; now see if You can save yourself!" Even the man on the cross next to Jesus joined in the mocking.

But the man on the other cross stopped him. "Man, you are about to die! Don't you fear God at all? We did horrible things. We deserve to die. But Jesus is innocent." He turned to Jesus. "Please, Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

"This day, you will join Me in paradise," Jesus answered.

Shame! Shame!

The Bible says little about the pain Jesus suffered on the cross, but it says a lot about the shame he endured. Soldiers, spectators, and priests made fun of him. Even the thieves executed with him mocked Jesus.

He was naked in public. Guards gambled for his clothes. Attendants toyed with him when he got thirsty. Finally, he wondered if even God had deserted him." He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he later on he would be glad he did ... So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won't get discouraged and "give up".

PROMISE For ... God's Faithfulness

John 19:28, 30

"After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."