From Casual Observers to Devoted Followers: The Transformation at the Cross
Matt. 27:36 And sitting down they watched him there;
When I read this verse, I am confounded. Knowing the gravity of the hour, and understanding that at this very moment in history, the Christ child is giving His life a ransom for many; knowing that, as The Lamb of God, He is paying our sin debt with His own blood, the text seems to suggest a disturbing level of casualness amongst the soldiers who nailed Him there.
So, on one hand we have the single most significant moment in all of time and eternity, and on the other hand, we have those looking on, as if totally clueless to what is actually happening.
Dear reader, is your soul also at ease beneath the foot of the cross? Do you also, with rested posture and careless ease, look on as if Christ’s death is but another pointless day in the life of a soul grown numb to tragedy and pain?
Oh, but listen! Do not make the tragic mistake of watching the Lamb while missing the opportunity for redemption. While you look upon Him, understand that your sin put Him there, and that His blood will wash away that same sin in a simple prayer of repentance and faith. While you are so close to Calvary’s flow, be plunged in His blood and be made as white as snow!
Not one unrighteous soul has come with his sin for cleansing, only to return disappointed. No, all who come with all, leave with none! He will not only wash some of you, but all of you!
Friends, we are not just to watch Him there; we are to embrace Him there. In this moment of time, perhaps the greatest scripture of all is fulfilled in Christ, namely, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus taught us here in John 15:13 what the greatest level of love would look like, and then He set the example by living out what He preached.
Do you realize the depth of Christ’s love for you as He hangs there on the cross while you watch? If it ever occurs to you, like it has so many others, you too will be forever changed by His love. For, you see, while you are watching Him die on the cross, even more importantly, He has been watching you!
Can you see the love in His eyes as He watches to see when you might give your heart to Him? Know assuredly that if you will call on Him today while He is near, He will save you by His grace, and your gazing at the cross will turn to your redemption!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
When I read this verse, I am confounded. Knowing the gravity of the hour, and understanding that at this very moment in history, the Christ child is giving His life a ransom for many; knowing that, as The Lamb of God, He is paying our sin debt with His own blood, the text seems to suggest a disturbing level of casualness amongst the soldiers who nailed Him there.
So, on one hand we have the single most significant moment in all of time and eternity, and on the other hand, we have those looking on, as if totally clueless to what is actually happening.
Dear reader, is your soul also at ease beneath the foot of the cross? Do you also, with rested posture and careless ease, look on as if Christ’s death is but another pointless day in the life of a soul grown numb to tragedy and pain?
Oh, but listen! Do not make the tragic mistake of watching the Lamb while missing the opportunity for redemption. While you look upon Him, understand that your sin put Him there, and that His blood will wash away that same sin in a simple prayer of repentance and faith. While you are so close to Calvary’s flow, be plunged in His blood and be made as white as snow!
Not one unrighteous soul has come with his sin for cleansing, only to return disappointed. No, all who come with all, leave with none! He will not only wash some of you, but all of you!
Friends, we are not just to watch Him there; we are to embrace Him there. In this moment of time, perhaps the greatest scripture of all is fulfilled in Christ, namely, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus taught us here in John 15:13 what the greatest level of love would look like, and then He set the example by living out what He preached.
Do you realize the depth of Christ’s love for you as He hangs there on the cross while you watch? If it ever occurs to you, like it has so many others, you too will be forever changed by His love. For, you see, while you are watching Him die on the cross, even more importantly, He has been watching you!
Can you see the love in His eyes as He watches to see when you might give your heart to Him? Know assuredly that if you will call on Him today while He is near, He will save you by His grace, and your gazing at the cross will turn to your redemption!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill