March 6 – Matthew 27:27-31
Our Jesus, we praise You, for You are Salvation. You are Hope. You are Peace! We love You and want to draw near to You. Be with us as we come together to spend time with You and worship You.
As a military veteran, the word ‘battalion’ popped right out at me. I immediately pictured 600+ soldiers standing before this one poor, small, defenseless man. The contrast to those gathered must have been jarring.
And yet, the reality was, is, that 600 military men are actually smaller than microscopic compared to how big and mighty Jesus is. With just one thought, He could have wiped them from the earth. He did something even more powerful and mighty. He didn’t wipe them out; even then, He showed mercy and grace. He did the Father’s will; obedient and honoring His Father. He stood and took our place, demonstrating His great love for us. He died for those in that battalion. He died for those whipping Him. He died for those spitting on Him. Even them.
It is not lost on me the ‘irony’ of that scene and how backwards it appeared. How very small our view can be and how we miss the big picture, the point, even when it is glaring at us. If they only knew. If they only knew they didn’t actually have the power, upper hand, and that they were, in fact, doing the very will of God. If they only knew the Jesus that was before them.
If you are here with us, and you don’t know this Jesus, if you have been missing Him, then this Easter, find Him, reach for Him. He is waiting for you and He is calling your name. Don’t go another day without Him. He is everything you have been searching for.
My Verse: Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
My Response: Words escape me in this moment. I am left sitting here, staring out into the snow filled forest, watching the snow fall all around me. And all I can think about is how perfect You are. I have no words. And so, I will sit here with You in silence. Loving You. Dwelling with You. And allowing You to just love me.
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My verse: Matthew 27:29 “They wove branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, ‘Hail! King of the Jews!'”
My response: Of all the horrid things, this kind of childish mockery hurts just to read about it. The deliberate choice to degrade another human being is so wrong and so cruel. These soldiers in a sense “had” to crucify Jesus to obey orders. This nastiness they chose and for this they were still given forgiveness? Yes. When Jesus on the cross said, “Father, forgive them” … it was for the mockery as well as for the killing. Wow. Lord, why do bullies bully? It is so, so sad and wrong. Help me to feel for them as You did – and forgive and pray for even the bullies – those that are alive and (sadly) active today.