Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

April 10
Friday


WHO CRUCIFIED
JESUS?

READ:
Luke 23:33-38
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When they had come
to the place called
Calvary, there they
crucified Him.
__Luke 23:33
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When looking at Rembrandt's painting of The Three Crosses, your attention is drawn first to the cross on which Jesus died. Then as you look at the crowd gathered around the foot of that cross, you are impressed by the various facial expressions and actions of the people involved in he awful crime of crucifying the Son of God. Finally, your eyes drift to the edge of the painting to catch sight of another figure, almost hidden in the shadows. Some art critics say this is a representation of Rembrandt himself, for he recognized that by his sins he helped nail Jesus to the cross.

Someone has said, "It is a simple thing to say that Christ died for the sins of the world. It is quiet another thing to say that Christ died for my sins.... It is a shocking thought that we can be as indifferent as Pilate, as scheming as Caiaphas, as callous as the soldiers, as ruthless as the mob, or as cowardly as the disciples. It wasn't just what they did--it was I who nailed him to the tree. I crucified the christ of God. I joined the mockery."

Place yourself in the shadows with Rembrandt. You too are standing there. But then recall what Jesus said as He hung on that cross, "Father, forgive them." Thank God, that includes you and me. __Henry Bosch
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```````````````````Behold the Savior of mankind`````````````````
````````````````````Nailed to the shameful tree!``````````````````
````````````````How vast the love that Him inclined````````````````
````````````````To bleed and die for thee! __Wesley``````````````
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The cross of Christ reveals the love of God at its best
and the sin of the world at its worst.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Luke 23:33-38*************

33 And when they had
come to the place called
Calvary, there they crucified
Him, and the criminals, one
on the right hand and the
other on the left. 34 Then
Jesus said, "Father, forgive
them, for they do not know
what they do." And they
divided His garments and
cast lots.

35 And the people stood
looking on. But even the
rulers with them sneered,
saying, "He saved others;
let Him save Himself if He
is the Christ, the chosen of
God."

36 The soldiers also
mocked Him, coming and
offering Him sour wine,

37 and saying, "If You are
the King of the Jews, save
Yourself."

38 And an inscription also
was written over Him in
letters of Greek, Latin, and
Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF
THE JEWS.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Notice that there are four groups of people involved in the
crucifixion story. The soldiers profited from Christ's death (v.34)
and mocked Him (vv.36-37). The religious leaders ("rulers," v.35)
joined in the mockery with them. The criminals (v.33) were suffering
the same crucifixion, yet not dying the same death as the Lamb of
God whose sacrifice secured salvation. The crowd (v.35), however,
just watched. The word translated "looking on" speaks of being a
spectator, perhaps even with a measure of pleasure. Still, for all
these Christ died--and for us as well. __Bill Crowder