GRACE

"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscriptionalso was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering reguked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things." Luke 23: 32-49

Author Arthur W. Pitt describes it this way, "With bleeding back, carrying His cross under the heat of the now almost midday sun, He [Jesus] journeyed up the rugged heights of Golgotha. Reaching the appointed place of execution, His hands and feet were nailed to the tree. For three hours He hung there with the pitiless rays of the sun beating down [on] His thorn-crowned head. This was followed by the three hours of darkness, now over. That night and that day were hours into which an eternity was compressed." The Savior of the world had emerged from three hours of darkness, during which He was separated from God the Father. Why did the Father turn away from Him? It is against the character of God to face sin, so God withdrew Himself from communication with His Son while Jesus bore the guilt of the world's sin."



When I read the scripture above I can't help but notice the number of times people said to Jesus that if He was God's son that He should save Himself. I have no doubt in my mind that He very well could have saved himself. He could have removed Himself from the cross and all His pain and suffering would have been over. But He didn't. Jesus stayed on the cross and because of that I am saved from an eternity in Hell. He loved us that much.



Without the cross...there would be no Easter. The wages of sin is death. I am thankful that Jesus took my place and bore the burden for my sins. I do not deserve this type of love, but am thankful. I am saved by Grace!



This weekend as we all enjoy all our Easter activities, let's take time to thank God for sending His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. And let's be thankful that we serve a Risen Savior!