Lent Day 36: From the Cross of Shame to the Cross of Victory (John 19:16b-18)
Lent Day 36
From the Cross of Shame to the Cross of Victory
John 19:16b-18
16b So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.
17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.
18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
◇ Pilate handed Jesus over to the soldiers. They took him to Golgotha and nailed him to the cross. Thieves were crucified on either side of him. Jesus drew his last breath between two sinners.
Jesus came into the world as a man, lived among sinners, and died among them, offering hope of resurrection to all. His life was always spent with sinners, never apart from them. He didn't come to condemn but to set them free from sin. And he bore the cross for those who spat on him, mocked, and insulted him.
The cross of Jesus is for everyone. It was for those who mocked, insulted, and spat on him, demanding his crucifixion. He came into the world and bore the cross for those who cried out without understanding who he was or why he had come.
Jesus is still with us today. Even after 2000 years, he is with us. He died and rose again for us. Though his death was unjust, God turned that death into one that was good and righteous. The deaths of Christians who carry their crosses, following Jesus, will also be made good and righteous by God, who will resurrect them just as he did Jesus.
Even if every step we take as Christians today is difficult and painful, have hope. God, who turned Jesus's walk to the cross from defeat and shame into a good and righteous death of glory, will do the same for our steps. God is good and righteous.
God, we step forward in faith, knowing who you are. We carry our crosses with the hope of resurrection. Holy Spirit, lead us in truth. Amen.
From the Cross of Shame to the Cross of Victory
John 19:16b-18
16b So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.
17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.
18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
◇ Pilate handed Jesus over to the soldiers. They took him to Golgotha and nailed him to the cross. Thieves were crucified on either side of him. Jesus drew his last breath between two sinners.
Jesus came into the world as a man, lived among sinners, and died among them, offering hope of resurrection to all. His life was always spent with sinners, never apart from them. He didn't come to condemn but to set them free from sin. And he bore the cross for those who spat on him, mocked, and insulted him.
The cross of Jesus is for everyone. It was for those who mocked, insulted, and spat on him, demanding his crucifixion. He came into the world and bore the cross for those who cried out without understanding who he was or why he had come.
Jesus is still with us today. Even after 2000 years, he is with us. He died and rose again for us. Though his death was unjust, God turned that death into one that was good and righteous. The deaths of Christians who carry their crosses, following Jesus, will also be made good and righteous by God, who will resurrect them just as he did Jesus.
Even if every step we take as Christians today is difficult and painful, have hope. God, who turned Jesus's walk to the cross from defeat and shame into a good and righteous death of glory, will do the same for our steps. God is good and righteous.
God, we step forward in faith, knowing who you are. We carry our crosses with the hope of resurrection. Holy Spirit, lead us in truth. Amen.