Word@Work 199 - Mark 15:23-24
Published: Mon, 09/01/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 15:23-24 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. (NIV)
"What's in it for me"? Although this is the theme-song of today's culture, it is totally opposite to Jesus' attitude at the cross. His execution was no sanitised death cell experience; that was not how He planned it. And, yes, Jesus was fully involved with the planning of this crucial moment in history. To take the sins of the world, He needed to and very much wanted to experience the entirety of His Father's wrath. The physical suffering was only a part of that wrath-bearing; but it was an essential part. To reduce the intensity of pain by alcohol or drugs was no part of that plan. And so Jesus refused any chemical comfort.
By contrast, the soldiers gambled for Christ's clothing. Unrepentant worldlings, they only had their own benefit in mind. As with any crucifixion, the personal effects of the condemned man became the perks of the job, for the executioners. Perhaps they were sold later, to boost the weekly income. Some items may have been kept as useful souvenirs. So, you can see that their mindset was totally opposed to that of Jesus. Yet it was for them that He died, too! No wonder Rom 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
The cross remains a marker post that divides people. It separates those who are out for what they can get, from those who honour Jesus who gave everything for them. In turn, such people know they must make the choice to give everything for the sake of their Saviour. The socially religious middle road of, 'a bit for me and a bit for Jesus' really does not exist! It is a good check point to ask, "Am I looking to see what I can get out of Jesus?" A 'Yes' answer indicates that Jesus is on a different road to you.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Please help me to see where I have become absorbed with the world's selfish agenda, that I neither value Your sacrifice for me nor sacrifice my desires to Your will and service. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
"What's in it for me"? Although this is the theme-song of today's culture, it is totally opposite to Jesus' attitude at the cross. His execution was no sanitised death cell experience; that was not how He planned it. And, yes, Jesus was fully involved with the planning of this crucial moment in history. To take the sins of the world, He needed to and very much wanted to experience the entirety of His Father's wrath. The physical suffering was only a part of that wrath-bearing; but it was an essential part. To reduce the intensity of pain by alcohol or drugs was no part of that plan. And so Jesus refused any chemical comfort.
By contrast, the soldiers gambled for Christ's clothing. Unrepentant worldlings, they only had their own benefit in mind. As with any crucifixion, the personal effects of the condemned man became the perks of the job, for the executioners. Perhaps they were sold later, to boost the weekly income. Some items may have been kept as useful souvenirs. So, you can see that their mindset was totally opposed to that of Jesus. Yet it was for them that He died, too! No wonder Rom 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
The cross remains a marker post that divides people. It separates those who are out for what they can get, from those who honour Jesus who gave everything for them. In turn, such people know they must make the choice to give everything for the sake of their Saviour. The socially religious middle road of, 'a bit for me and a bit for Jesus' really does not exist! It is a good check point to ask, "Am I looking to see what I can get out of Jesus?" A 'Yes' answer indicates that Jesus is on a different road to you.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Please help me to see where I have become absorbed with the world's selfish agenda, that I neither value Your sacrifice for me nor sacrifice my desires to Your will and service. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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