Stephan Hoffman

When he had received the drink, Jesus said,‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  John 19:30

Jesus was brutally tortured. Flogging was a terrible punishment. Leather whips with pieces of iron and bone were used to hit the poor culprit. Pieces of skin and flesh were ripped with every blow that struck the body. Jesus was also ridiculed, mocked, spat upon and beaten. Then the heartless crowd called out "Crucify him!".

Jesus was crucified with two others. He, the King of the Universe, let himself (seemingly powerless) be nailed on the cross. Jesus hung there in our place, for you and me, he was prepared to undergo this horrible torture and suffering until it was over. John makes it very clear that Jesus actually died physically and was buried. John saw it for himself and testified to it. Jesus also died for us.

People answer God's love with cruel, merciless hatred.  Jesus, who only did good, is treated so badly.  Man's selfishness, envy and hatred claim the greatest sacrifice of God.

Perhaps we sometimes figuratively speaking kill Jesus in our own lives.  God comes to us in love and we respond with selfishness and hatred. God does good to us and we do evil to him and others. Yes, we are not innocent. This cruelty is part of the nature of every person on earth.  Without God's Spirit, each of us can show this cruelty.

Come let us pray again that God will fill our hearts with the love and grace God bestowed on us. Come let us realise once again how great the love of God is for us, that he was willing to sacrifice everything to save us. Come let us, in gratitude, go live out this love towards everyone who crosses our path.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for often responding to your great love with ingratitude, selfishness and even hatred. Forgive me for being so ungracious towards others, while you through Jesus Christ showed mercy for my actions. Please give me a kind heart and willing hands, so that I can gratefully serve you.  AmenA