Today is Good Friday and when you read the journey Jesus went on all the way to the cross you can’t help but be in tears. His life was astonishing & changed our world forever. His last few days on earth leave an account with us that leaves me in awe. There are a few accounts of the same story you can read in :
Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23, & John 11-19
When you read how people treated this innocent & loving man it stirs heartbreak within us. They mocked him all the way to his persecution and even while he was being crucified and all the way untill his death. They accused him, found him guilty, beat him, whipped him, spit on him, demeaned his name, beat him again, and watched as his exhausted and tormented body get nailed to the cross on both his hands and his feet for one purpose: Salvation to you & I. It stirs such compassion for Jesus and love to read and understand what he endured for me so that I could know God for myself.
His crucifixion reconciled us to our heavenly father as we see here
“And the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:38 AMP)
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His death tore all separation from God and directly connected us. What a precious gift he has given us the ability to know God for ourselves. As you read this particular account in Mark 14-15 there is a man who stands out to me. There was a man who was official counselman who asked Pilate for Jesus’s body as you continue to read it is here,
“Joseph, he of Arimathea, noble and honorable in rank and a respected member of the council (Sanhedrin), who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, daring the consequences, took courage and ventured to go to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And Joseph bought a [fine] linen cloth [for swathing dead bodies], and, taking Him down from the cross, he rolled Him up in the [fine] linen cloth and placed Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of a rock. Then he rolled a [very large] stone against the door of the tomb.” (Mark 15:43, 46 AMP)
We hear of this man who pursued the kingdom of God and loved Jesus and believed in him by the way he demonstrated such care to protect him and take care of him . I have read this chapter numerous times but It never occurred to me how this mans love and dedication was on display. As we reflect today about his journey, about the journey we have had with our savior, and the future glory to come we can be encouraged on this day of 3 things:
1. People will mock your cause, the world will come against your cause at times, but what we learn from Jesus is not to be moved! He didnt divert from his course even tho he came against such opposition & hate against what was true & right ! Trials can’t move us, people can’t disuade us, and the enemy can’t seperate us from this cause; to live for Jesus !
2. Protect and honor our king with our life! No matter the job we have, school we attend, or people we come into contact on a daily basis there will be those that disregard Jesus, disregard the cross & even God himself but how we act towards those people is we protect our father by living separated from the world and seperated unto our God! We honor him with our life by pleasing him in obedience to him !
3. Commit to the ministry of bringing people to the cross ! The cross has changed my life and yours ! It has saved us, set us free, and given us purpose for our lives but now my friend It is our mission to tell others of his goodness & of this joy ! It isn’t an evangelism weekend or just a seasonal thing but it is a lifestyle that never ends! We have the power of the cross inside of us to reach people for that very reason; to bring them to the cross !
This story of Jesus doesn’t get old or loose it’s power. Today as I read it again I admire that he didn’t respond to the accusations, he didn’t respond to their mockery because his life, death, & resurrection says it ALL!!!!!! All that he went thru was for us to know him! Give him glory today my friend. Take time to read about him, reflect on your journey with him, and live with purpose in response !
God Bless you,
Michelle Castillo
"A Call to Arms" Fasting Forum 2015 