“And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take. It was the third hour when they crucified Him” (Mark 15:24-25).
About noon they lifted Jesus up on the cross. He had been awake the whole night before, beaten, mocked, tried, and convicted. Of what was He guilty according to those who condemned Him? For “blasphemy;” they considered Him guilty for saying He was God. He was and is. The world does not want the order of our Lord. It wants to be the master of its own destiny. The world exists because it has been created, but it does not want the Creator.
Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, the insanity of this world is that it wants to exist apart from You who created all things. That is not possible. Take me out of this insanity so that I may humbly live as You created me to live. Guide me in Your goodness so that I see things through the eyes of truth. You have suffered so that I who suffer may have hope beyond this age of suffering.
Lord Jesus, You died for me. I was the one who should have been on that cross. I have sinned and the wages of sin is death, but You have taken my place in order to set me free to live a new way of living. Help me to not forget or slip into old patterns. Lead me to live intentionally knowing that in You alone is there hope and a future. Guide me in Your goodness and mercy all the days of my life. Amen.
