THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 27:38-44
“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.” (Matthew 27:41)
Matthew shows how religious leaders are no better than the rebels, mocking “in the same way” (v.44).
They belittle His faith in God, but they only reveal their own bankrupt faith.
Does my faith in God and Jesus change the way I treat others?
Do I look down on some people “in the same way”?
Jesus does not treat people “in the same way” as the world.
He offered love and not scorn, He blessed those who cursed Him.
From sexual sinners to traitors, from Roman occupiers to spiritual heretics.
From the rebels to Romans and the self-righteous, He pleaded for forgiveness, not revenge.
Our world does not treat the ‘other’ very well… how do I treat them?
I sense the Lord challenging to consider how I think or speak about ‘others’.
How do I think or speak about native Americans, about south Asians, about homosexuals?
About single parents, about Mormons, about Muslims, about Jews, about politicians?
About lawyers, about environmentalists, about rednecks, about Americans, about Republicans…
May my “in the same way” refer to Jesus’ love, and not to the worlds cruelty!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You chose to identify with us in our guilt and shame, not to judge us… and certainly not to mock is. Help me to love in the same way!
Our desire is to live and to live well.
There will be a time that we die. It happens to all.
Am I ready to die well?
Dying is not easy since it means separation of the life, the people, the relationships we have here on earth. We are however born to die as was Christ. Our life today needs to be lived for our life tomorrow. Jesus knew that the cross was His Father’s will and His way to die. I too need to see death as the way for eternal life.
If I choose to live well, I can die well and that is a daily task in my living for Jesus. Death does not separate Christ from me for I am bound by His love. And that love is stronger than death.
God loves me so that He gave His Son so I can live forevermore.
Help me this day Lord to walk with You in all I do and say.
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way;
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.