Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Come Down From the Cross
Read Mark 15:21-32

It was the third hour when they crucified him. Mark 15:25

“If you are Christ the Messiah, prove yourself and come down now!” Wasn’t that the same line Satan used when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:9)? Peter rebuked Jesus for predicting His death because he did not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men (8:32-33). We, too, often pray for instantaneous deliverance from the trials and temptations God allows in our lives.

Satan is continually seeking to defeat the divine plans of grace towards mankind. When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He submitted to God’s will. We need to have a passionate desire to know His will for our lives and the same willingness to yield and to obey His will daily.

Why did Jesus not come down from the cross? Because He lived to do His Father’s will and to finish His work. It was in God’s salvation plan that Jesus would be wounded and crushed. He had to suffer our punishment, be cursed and die in our place by crucifixion.

Only the blood of the Lamb of God could redeem us, bring forgiveness of our sins and restore our relationship with God. When we think of what He has done, it is only fitting for us to take our everyday, ordinary lives – our sleeping, eating, going to work, and all we do – and place them before God as an offering (Romans 12:1).

Thank you, Lord Jesus for the bloodstained cross.

Pray for diligence to seek and obey the will of God.