John the Baptist had a special connection with Jesus. While in their mothers' wombs they had an encounter and John leaped inside his mother according to Luke 1:41 and Luke 1:44. Now John is a man and has been paving the way for Jesus, the Messiah, and as his eyes lock on Jesus this is what he said. John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Can you imagine standing there with John and hearing him say this? Finally the man he has been preaching about and teaching about and baptizing people who have repented and believed on this man! Jesus is here in the flesh! What an introduction!! I do not know what I would have done.
When Jesus was doing miracles, the crowds loved Him. When He fed the multitudes they followed Him. On what we now celebrate as Palm Sunday, Jesus is riding a donkey descending the mount of Olives and look at what the Scripture says. Luke 19:37-38 And when He was come nigh (near), even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. They rejoiced for all the wonderful things He had done. Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, caused the lame to walk again, and saved multitudes. He cast out demons. He challenged humanity to think about religion in a whole new way: and He desired for those who listened to Him to have a relationship with His Heavenly Father Yahweh.
Fast forward toward the end of the week. Now Judas has betrayed Jesus. Jesus is arrested and alone. The disciples are hiding. Peter denied He knew Jesus THREE TIMES just as Jesus told him he would do. Every man, woman, and child that ate the loaves and fishes were gone! The blind that can now see turned their eyes away from Him. The deaf that can now hear, were no where to be found. What about the demon possessed and those who heard Him preaching daily in the temple? Where were those who supported Jesus just a few days ago?
Mark 15:6-25 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired (requested). And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for (because of) envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said unto them again, What will ye then that I shall do unto Him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify Him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath He done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify Him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged Him, to be crucified. And the soldiers led Him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band (cohort). And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head. And began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote Him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him, and bowing their knees worshipped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple from Him, and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross. And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but He received it not. And when they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.
Do you want to know what I am thankful for this Thankful Thursday? Friends, I am so thankful that Jesus loves us so much that He did that for us. He went through torture and pain and suffering like we will never know. The crowds that wanted Him to heal them, save them, help them, and feed them were the very ones crying out CRUCIFY HIM! And not one person could ever say why they wanted it done. No one could give an accurate account of anything wrong Jesus had done. He was sinless! He was the Supreme Sacrifice for our sins. We could never pay for it. I am so thankful that He loved me so much that He looked beyond my sin and shame and thought I was worth saving.
My precious Jesus took the nails in His hands and in His feet for me! He wore the crown of thorns that were driven deep into His head with a heavy reed for me! He bled and died to pay for MY sins! That makes me sick to think about. My selfishness, my greed, my sins, my unforgiveness, my bitterness, my shame was all laid upon His shoulders along with yours and the whole world and He SUFFERED for it! He willingly laid down His life for us! The Shepherd laying down His very life for the sheep. That breaks my heart! My God!!! What a love that no one else can give!
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We did not deserve it. We were not good enough. We did NOTHING to earn this! Jesus loved us so much He did it willingly. God loves us that much that He sacrificed His only Son for us! John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Sin is the worst thing we can do because it separates us from the very God who loves us! Forgiveness is free and no strings attached. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much He sent Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son to die for us in the cruelest death in history. Sin cost Jesus His life's blood. Sin DOES hurt other people. It hurt Jesus so much and you know what He said? He looked out at the angry mob who wanted Him to hang on the cross and this is what He said: Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.
No one will ever care for you as much as Jesus; not your mother, not your father, not your grandparents, not your spouse, NOBODY! You are loved unconditionally! Is Jesus your Savior? If He is not, please make Him the Lord and Savior of your life right now. Today! Just tell Him that you believe that He is the Son of God. You recognize you are a sinner and need a Savior. Repent of your sins and ask Him to forgive you and He will do it! Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. It is that simple and that easy. It is a free gift from God.
I pray that you have been born again. If you have not, let today be your day of salvation. Jesus is the best friend you will ever have. He is all you need to guide you and govern your life. Trust Him. He is so worthy of love, trust, majesty, and honor.
I am thankful that Jesus Christ saved my soul and He is with me every single day. Jesus is alive. He rose from the dead and is alive forever more. He is seated at the right hand of the Father and one day He is coming back for you and me and all those that love His appearing. What a day that will be!
God bless you friends!
~Bridgett Owens
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