Some More Ramifications and Consequences re the Crucifixion of Jesus!

04 Apr 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Luke 23:46.         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 (breathed his last).

So we’ve come to our lazy-day Saturday of Holy Week, and many of us are feeling somewhat sad and downcast because of yesterday’s replaying of the horrific scene that took place two thousand years ago in the city of Jerusalem; that’s Christ’s crucifixion. And how can one not be affected by such a brutal and inhumane situation eh, especially to one who had done no wrong, was innocent of all the crimes He was accused of, but was nonetheless battered and bruised by His fellow countrymen, then crucified as a common criminal between two real criminals.

But thankfully Jesus knew exactly what He was doing and why He suffered the indignities and abuse as quietly as He did. It was all because His heavenly Father desired that He pay the price for mankind’s abominable sins by sacrificing His sinless life so that God’s greatest creation could have a chance of bypassing eternal separation from Him, because that’s where we were surely headed if we did not get atonement for our wrong doing. And it’s of the utmost importance that we remember that Christ died to save us from the bondage of sin and the fiery jaws of hell.

Therefore, we ought to regard Him as not only our Lord and Saviour, but also as our Hero. And you know how we honour our heroes with pomp and passion. So why don’t we do the same for Jesus eh? Why do some of us even go so far as to hold Him in contempt despite His life-saving sacrifice for us? Who knows my people? The Lord gave us free will to choose whom we adore and glorify, and if we choose not to adore and glorify Jesus, then we’ll just have to pay the consequences inherent in that unwise decision.

Enough theorizing though, (smile) let’s ease the sorrow in our hearts by the best method there is; that’s prayer, our greatest privilege. So let’s offer up our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, with all sincerity and truth. As one strong voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

Oh friends, there’s nothing better to quench our sadness than seeking to draw closer and more intimate with our heavenly Father! For when we get closer to Him, our sadness falls away and is replaced by a feeling of peace and contentment. It’s like the Bible says: ‘the joy of the Lord is our strength.’ (Neh. 8:10) So when we are sad, our joy is depleted, and when we get close to God, our joy is increased. And though we know that tomorrow we will indeed be joyful because of Christ’s resurrection, today we’re still in the doldrums, and it might just be a good time to sit and consider some of the things Jesus did even while he was being abused and crucified.

For instance while nailed to the cross He prayed thus: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34a) How many of us would even consider forgiving those who abuse us in such an inhumane manner eh? Not many, if any. But Jesus was filled with compassion even in His throes of death. And besides, those who crucified Him did not really know what they were doing. they thought they were getting rid of a nuisance, a renegade prophet, not knowing that their evil deeds were serving God’s ultimate purpose of saving mankind.

Then look at how the Bible portrays this touching scene. It says: ‘And one of the malefactors (criminals ) which were hanged railed on him (blasphemed), saying, If thou be the Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked 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 (wrong). 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.’ (Luke 23:39-43)

Yes my brethren, even in His suffering, Jesus was still compassionate and kind. And that’s how He would like us, His followers, His disciples, his ambassadors to also be. Unfortunately though, too many of us are exactly the opposite; we have no time for others when we are going through our own problems. Then look at this other even more touching scene from Jesus hanging from the cross.

The Bible tells us: ‘Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he LOVED (John), he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.’ (John 19:25-27) Now wasn’t that very thoughtful of Jesus to leave His mother in a safe and secure situation, for her husband Joseph had probably died already, and in those days widows had a tough time surviving the inequity and unkindness of Jewish society.  

The worst part of the whole affair on Jesus’ part was possibly this one. The Bible says: ‘Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour (3.pm). And about the ninth hour  (3 p.m.) Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Matt. 27:45-46) Yes friends, Jesus hung on that cross from about 9 a.m. to 3.pm before any words of complaint echoed from His soul. And even then it wasn’t even so much a complaint, but more of a big disappointment.

For as the scholars explain: ‘Here we have the high cost to Christ of His atonement for our sins, who was accursed of God as our sin-bearer and suffered the agony of spiritual death for us.’ In other words Christ was painted with the brush of sin, and since the Lord could not countenance sin, He was separated from the Father for the first time ever. And as the scholars note: ‘Even in the midst of bearing God’s wrath for sin, Jesus still calls Him my God. His agony does not overcome His faith.’  Now that’s something we all should try to also achieve; don’t allow anyone or anything to destroy our faith in God.

And to cap it all, a short time later, ‘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 (breathed his last). (Luke 23:46) So though the memories of Jesus crucifixion are heartrending, let’s remember that He did it willingly as the will of the Father, so we should not despair, for remember, joy comes in the morning, and indeed, there will be great joy…come tomorrow! Much LOVE!

…Jesus suffered greatly for our sins…but both Him and Father thought it worthwhile…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Foundation of our Christian Faith – Christ’s Cross!

28 Jul 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Colossians 2:14.       Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

Here comes Sunday, here comes Sunday, dressed in its Sunday best! Ah friends, remember the days when going to church was a fashion show? Everybody dressed in the clothes they only wore on Sundays…and the ladies with their fantastic hats. No lady would go to church without a hat! Now that might have been a bit much, because many of us just went to church to see what our friends and neighbours were wearing and to gossip about their ensemble later on. 

But today things have turned right around, people go to church looking any ole how. And technically speaking, we’re not going to church for the clothes, because the Lord will accept us anyhow, once our hearts are sincere. But with the Lord’s sovereignty we should still show some respect by going into the Lord’s house looking decent. We don’t go into the presence of earthly kings looking untidy and unkempt, so why go into the presence of the King of Kings looking like riff raff eh? 

Anyway, enough of my spiel, let’s talk about our opening song. It’s a song written in 2003 by Bob Somma and Bill Batstone, and very wisely titled ‘I come to the Cross.’ It’s basically a song of repentance and salvation, of where our strength lies, where the foundation of our faith is laid – in the cross of Jesus. So, let’s offer up sweet sacrifices of praise, in a soulful, heartfelt version. And as we sing the poignant, touching words, let’s imagine ourselves at the foot of Jesus’ cross, offering repentance for our sins, and receiving His offer of salvation through grace. 

Like one of the two criminals crucified with Christ, who confessed his sin, and 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.’ (Luke 23:42-43) And before we get into the song, let me share this commentary on that scripture: 

“Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Let that soak in, that for all who trust in who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done on the cross, in the moment you die on this earth, that day, that moment, you will be with Jesus in paradise, in heaven. You will experience the hope of your salvation.’ It couldn’t get any better than that friends! 

So let’s sing: ‘I come to the cross seeking mercy and grace, I come to the cross where You died in my place. Out of my weakness and into Your strength, Humbly, I come to the cross. I come to the cross seeking mercy and grace, I come to the cross where You died in my place. Out of my weakness and into Your strength, Jesus, I come to the cross. Your arms are open, You call me by name, You welcome this child that was lost. You paid the price for my guilt and my shame, 

Jesus, I come, Jesus I come, Jesus, I come to the cross. I come to the cross seeking mercy and grace, I come to the cross where You died in my place. Out of my weakness and into Your strength, Jesus, I come to the cross. Jesus, I come, Jesus I come, Jesus, I come to the cross Your arms are open, You call me by name, You welcome this child that was lost. You paid the price for my guilt and my shame, Jesus, I come, Jesus I come, Jesus, I come to the cross Jesus, I come to the cross…Jesus, I come to the cross….’ 

Oh my people, the words of that song ring so true that there can be no doubt about them. And to show how powerful they can be, please read this comment on the song from an impressed listener. She writes: ‘Praise the Lord. Thank you for the wonderful song “I Come To The Cross.” When I first heard this song, I was so touched by it and found tears in my heart because He died on the cross for my sins and this song really opened my eyes and my whole being to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior for as long as He allows me to live. So again, thank you for your wonderful ministry. May God bless you and may your ministry touch someone else the same way it touched me. Your sister in Christ, Salaia.’ 

Yes friends, that’s the way the words of the song ought to touch us; to open our hearts and souls to the wonder of Jesus crucifixion on the cross of Calvary and what it accomplished on our behalf. Then to bring us to our knees before our Lord and Saviour, admitting that we’re helpless without Him, and offering much thanks and praise for His selfless work in our ungodly and sinful lives. 

And this scripture from Bruh Paul to the Colossians admirably explains the song, or vice versa, the song explains the scripture. (smile) ‘And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened (made alive) together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. (Col. 2:13-14) 

And the scholars offer this explanation of those scriptures. ‘2:13. As per You … hath he quickened: God gave them new spiritual life. 2:14. The handwriting of ordinances: They say, in secular literature, this “handwriting” was an IOU signed by the debtor. Here it might be paraphrased “a certificate of debt consisting of decrees.” This refers to the Mosaic Law, which the Jews had contracted to obey, and to which Gentiles by conscience were obligated. Owing to man’s inability to fulfill this obligation of obedience, he was therefore indebted to God. But through Christ this debt was graciously blotted out.’ 

Making it the most wonderful gift of God ever! Now, listen to this scripture from Bruh Paul to the Ephesians, on ‘Christ Our Peace,’ which also helps us understand the selfless and magnificent job that Christ has done on our behalf. ‘For he (Christ himself) is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition (division) between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make (create) in himself of twain (the two) one new man, so making peace. 

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain (put to death) the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.’ (Eph. 2:14-18) 

Oh my fellow believers, that’s indeed a wonderful scripture! For, Christ’s coming to earth and dying an atoning death in our stead and with His philosophy of peace and LOVE, had turned the two antagonistic groups of Jews and Gentiles into one single new group, the Christian church. 

The scholars tell us, ‘He did this by removing the middle wall of partition, that is, the Mosaic Law. The law was meant to protect Jews from pagan corruptions; but by misconstruing the purpose of the law, the Jews felt superior to Gentiles, who were incensed at this arrogance. So Jesus abolished this enmity (hatred), caused by an abuse of the law, by making the law invalid for His church. Christian Jews and Christian Gentiles now compose this “one new man” or Christian church.’ 

Oh friends, what a Master Builder was our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Only He could have broken down those walls of enmity and hatred and brought us all into one group, His church. Therefore, considering that magnificent work, shouldn’t we be more LOVING and tolerant of each other, members of the same organization, who all found our salvation at the cross of Christ? Of course! So please, let’s spend some time today pondering the many divisions and dissensions in Christ’s church, and how we can reduce them. Much LOVE!

…through Christ…we are all one…and one for all…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien