Morning Devotions: Matthew 27:33-54

Messiah’s anguish from the cross. Was his agony because of his bones being out of joint (ouch!) or the melting of his heart? Was his agony because of his strength being gone (to the point that he could no longer adjust his weight on the nails that pierced him to catch his breath) or the thirst that left his mouth as dry as his strength? Was it the taunts of the evil men who surrounded him that caused his agony? Personally I could not withstand a single one of these nightmares that were Messiah’s reality. I also do not believe that pain and shame, which would have been my undoing, was the source of His anguish. What was it then?
 
Ever told a lie? Even a little lie?
Have you ever stolen something, a pen, a library book, candy, coins?
Do you honor your mother and father, or do you do things that make them cry, that make them embarrassed?
Have you ever used the name of the Creator and Savior as a cuss word?
Have you ever wished you had something that does not belong to you?
 
Little sins. Your little sins put Jesus on the cross. Those little sins caused his suffering and agony. More than the unimaginable pain of his crucified body. More than the shame of being naked for all to stare at, more than the pain of the nails pounded into his hands and feet or the whipping that tore at his flesh or the crown of cruel thorns that was slammed down on the head his mother once tenderly kissed. More than the mocking of unbelievers in their short moment of triumph, your sin caused the one person in all the world who loves you more than any other love, to experience agony…. agony that should have been yours to experience.
 
He embraced your pain and punishment, your separation from his beloved Father because he loves you. To him, you were worth it all. Won’t you give your life to Him? I don’t mean make sure you are comfortable in Heaven after you die, I mean give Him your life so that He can live through you. You will never be sorry! 

Matthew 27:33-56 

33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34 they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.

35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. 37 And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read,

"THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (YHVH)" 

38 At that time two terrorists were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 

"HE TRUSTS IN GOD; 

LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; 

for He said, 'I am the Son of God.'" 44 The terrorists who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.

45 Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 

"ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?"

that is, 

"MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" 

47 And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, "This man is calling for Elijah." 48 Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. 49 But the rest of them said, "Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him." 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" 

 

February 18, 2016
Mrs. Hagerty