Word@Work Luke343 - Luke 23:26-31
Published: Tue, 04/26/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
NOT JUST FOR TODAY
Luke 23:26-31 As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then " 'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills "Cover us!" 'For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" (NIV)
The crucifixion was not just 'another day in the life of a Roman executioner'. It would have far reaching consequences. In the same way in which Simon of Cyrene found himself a surprised participant in the execution procession, the cross of Christ would make its mark on billions throughout history. As Jesus climbed the hill, women wailed their immediate grief as at a funeral; but He stopped briefly to tell them that the cross was not just for that day.
He predicted the total destruction of Jerusalem, which happened within 40 years. The savage attack on the city by the forces of General Titus in AD70 would not spare even the children, let alone the temple. It would be the last great prophetic drama to announce the final Judgement Day and return of King Jesus in all His glory. All those who have welcomed His sacrifice on the cross, have received His salvation and will enter His kingdom: all the others will be lost for eternity.
Jesus had already taught in parables about what would happen when God's special people rejected their Messiah - He would come and destroy His tenants and give the vineyard to others (Luke 20:14-18). The exclusivity of Israel being God's people would end. As Jesus was the once-for-ever sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:12), there was no further need for the temple with its priests and sacrificial system. They would all be redundant. And to this day there is still no temple, high priest or sacrifice in Jerusalem. Instead, the Kingdom of Heaven has been opened to all races and every nation who worship the Christ who died for them; but all others will be excluded.
So Calvary, with its blooded cross, was not just for one day. To reject the meaning of Jesus' death there, is to invite an eternity of remorseful lostness. But to welcome His sacrifice for your sins is to enter heaven's kingdom now. Likewise we do not just live for today but for Him who will come to receive us when He returns. So the story of the cross is not just history: how you respond to it will determine your future, and the reaction of your friends and colleagues to the gospel will determine their future too (www.crosscheck.org.uk)!
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You that Jesus, despite His pain and suffering, took time to explain the prophetic meaning of the people's reaction to His cross. Forgive me when I have treated that event casually or as a part of church routine. May I never lose the wonder of the cost of my salvation, and never treat lightly any opportunity to share the gospel message. May I be as horrified at the prospect of others being lost, as I am joyful about being saved. Help me to present the crucified Saviour as today's answer to today's need, and the hope of an eternal future. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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The crucifixion was not just 'another day in the life of a Roman executioner'. It would have far reaching consequences. In the same way in which Simon of Cyrene found himself a surprised participant in the execution procession, the cross of Christ would make its mark on billions throughout history. As Jesus climbed the hill, women wailed their immediate grief as at a funeral; but He stopped briefly to tell them that the cross was not just for that day.
He predicted the total destruction of Jerusalem, which happened within 40 years. The savage attack on the city by the forces of General Titus in AD70 would not spare even the children, let alone the temple. It would be the last great prophetic drama to announce the final Judgement Day and return of King Jesus in all His glory. All those who have welcomed His sacrifice on the cross, have received His salvation and will enter His kingdom: all the others will be lost for eternity.
Jesus had already taught in parables about what would happen when God's special people rejected their Messiah - He would come and destroy His tenants and give the vineyard to others (Luke 20:14-18). The exclusivity of Israel being God's people would end. As Jesus was the once-for-ever sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:12), there was no further need for the temple with its priests and sacrificial system. They would all be redundant. And to this day there is still no temple, high priest or sacrifice in Jerusalem. Instead, the Kingdom of Heaven has been opened to all races and every nation who worship the Christ who died for them; but all others will be excluded.
So Calvary, with its blooded cross, was not just for one day. To reject the meaning of Jesus' death there, is to invite an eternity of remorseful lostness. But to welcome His sacrifice for your sins is to enter heaven's kingdom now. Likewise we do not just live for today but for Him who will come to receive us when He returns. So the story of the cross is not just history: how you respond to it will determine your future, and the reaction of your friends and colleagues to the gospel will determine their future too (www.crosscheck.org.uk)!
Prayer: Gracious God. Thank You that Jesus, despite His pain and suffering, took time to explain the prophetic meaning of the people's reaction to His cross. Forgive me when I have treated that event casually or as a part of church routine. May I never lose the wonder of the cost of my salvation, and never treat lightly any opportunity to share the gospel message. May I be as horrified at the prospect of others being lost, as I am joyful about being saved. Help me to present the crucified Saviour as today's answer to today's need, and the hope of an eternal future. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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