Daily Devotions - Honoring the Sacrifice

Mark 15:21-47 NIV
The Crucifixion of Jesus
21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews. 27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28]  29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” 36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” 40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph,[d] and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

The Burial of Jesus
42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

 

When did the crucifixion begin to make a difference in your own life?

 

Precious Lord and Savior. I am a sinner. I have hurt others, hurt myself and hurt You with my sin. While I was still a sinner, You endured excruciating pain, suffering, and death for me on the cross. You knew the weight of every sin that I have and would commit and You carried them to the depths of Hell. I deserved judgment, rejection, and death, but You paid the entire price so that I could be set free. In my unfaithfulness, I was set free by Your faithfulness love, and grace. Today I think of the many men and women who were faithful in serving this country. They gave their lives so that I could be set free. I did nothing to deserve their service and sacrifice, but I enjoy liberty and freedom because of their sacrifice. Who am I to receive the benefits of such love and faithfulness from You and those who have died on my behalf? Lord, how it grieves my heart that people right now are walking away from the gift of salvation that cost You Your life. At the same time, people are walking away from the gift of Liberty that cost many people their lives. Lord forgive us. I pray that as a country, that You lead us back to You. I pray that the sacrifices made for us have not been in vain. I honor You Jesus above all for Your sacrifice for me. I also honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for this country. Thank You, Lord. Amen