See the Gift of Jesus

Day 3: SEE the Gift of Jesus

The Death of Jesus would be another message that I consider to be a symbolic and prolific (abundant) message that is preached today. For this devotion, I want you to put your thinking cap on and imagine the story as I tell it. I want you to imagine that you are actually there and witnessing these events. Let’s start.

Check it out here: Luke 23:1-23

Jesus is standing trial before his very own people (Jews). The trial is led by a man named Pontius Pilate. In the trial, Pontius Pilate has the authority to set Jesus free or crucify him. As the trial starts “the Jews begin to accuse Jesus saying, ‘we have found this man overthrowing our nation…and he claims to be Christ, the king.’ Pilate than began to question Jesus ‘Are you King of the Jews?’ Jesus responded ‘Yes, it is as you say.’ Then Pilate announced to the crowd that he found ‘no basis for charge against him (meaning he is innocent).’ But the Jews insisted ‘He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching.’ Pontius called the leaders of the Jews, and said ‘you brought me Jesus as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for charges against him…he has done nothing to deserve death.’ But the crowd with one voice cried out ‘Away with Jesus! Release Barabbas to us! (Barabbas was put in prison for murder).’ Pontius, on wanting to release Jesus, appealed to them, but the crowd kept shouting ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ Pontius for the third time responded ‘Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found no grounds for the death penalty.’ But with loud shouts they repetitively demanded that he be crucified. Their shouts prevailed and Pilate decided to grant their demand.” (Luke 23: 1-23)

Pontius had Jesus flogged. Flogging is being beaten by a whip or stick as punishment or torture. After bearing the torture, Jesus then had to carry his cross and was later nailed to that cross as he died of asphyxiation. Now it is too long for me to type all of Luke 23 out, but out of what was typed, what stood out the most to you in that story? For me, it was that the very people that Jesus performed miracles for, were the same people that had him crucified. The very people that Jesus helped were the same people that turned on him. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??????

Jesus was ridiculed, mocked, tortured and crucified and he went through all of that for us. Guys if you can handle very sensitive material including blood and gruesome images, I advise you to watch the Passion of the Christ or clips on YouTube. A youth pastor once told me that watching that movie will really put the gospel in perspective. In the movie, I actually couldn’t watch Jesus be flogged and I later cried when he was crucified. (Just a recommendation)

Today’s Challenge:

Read all of Luke 23 and imagine that you are there and visualize what Jesus went through. So much of our faith involves being able to visualize the Word. Guys, I know that if you do this, God will touch each of your hearts and speak to you in a way that you have never heard before.

Go to DAY 4: Receive the Gift of Jesus here.