“’Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things
and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Jesus]
explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” – Luke 24:26-27
When I was in Haiti, I was asked why we, Christians, worship the cross. At first I didn’t know why they would ask a thing like that. Then I realized that we had a cross hanging on the wall in our home. Many of the volunteers that came wore crosses around their necks. So I could see why they might think we were preoccupied with the cross itself. So I explained that the cross was a reminder that Jesus had risen. The Catholic crucifix is a reminder that Jesus died on the Cross. The Christian’s empty cross is a reminder that Jesus was raised from the dead, victorious over sin and death which is why we have hope. There is no hope in His death, only in His resurrection. But a cross on the wall or on a chain around the neck is not sufficient. It is not the cross that saves, it is Jesus who suffered and died on that cross and who was raised on the third day.
“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”” – Mark 15:29-32
That was the last temptation the Jesus faced. Even while hanging on the cross it was not too late to stop what was happening to Him. Jesus faced the same temptation on the cross that he experienced in the desert. “If you are the Son of God then …..” then prove Yourself.
“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” – Matthew 4:3-11
But, Jesus did not come to avoid the cross but to endure it. For our sakes. Mesi Jezi. (Haitian Creole) Thank you Jesus.
When I was in Haiti, I was asked why we, Christians, worship the cross. At first I didn’t know why they would ask a thing like that. Then I realized that we had a cross hanging on the wall in our home. Many of the volunteers that came wore crosses around their necks. So I could see why they might think we were preoccupied with the cross itself. So I explained that the cross was a reminder that Jesus had risen. The Catholic crucifix is a reminder that Jesus died on the Cross. The Christian’s empty cross is a reminder that Jesus was raised from the dead, victorious over sin and death which is why we have hope. There is no hope in His death, only in His resurrection. But a cross on the wall or on a chain around the neck is not sufficient. It is not the cross that saves, it is Jesus who suffered and died on that cross and who was raised on the third day.
“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”” – Mark 15:29-32
That was the last temptation the Jesus faced. Even while hanging on the cross it was not too late to stop what was happening to Him. Jesus faced the same temptation on the cross that he experienced in the desert. “If you are the Son of God then …..” then prove Yourself.
“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” – Matthew 4:3-11
But, Jesus did not come to avoid the cross but to endure it. For our sakes. Mesi Jezi. (Haitian Creole) Thank you Jesus.
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