April 7 | Matthew 27:31-56
DAILY READING
Matthew 27: 31-56
REFLECTION
He Did It!
by Kim Starr
I did not want to write the Daily Devotion for today. The responsibility of writing about Jesus’ crucifixion was just too much. However, I am not unlike other people that God called to do things they did not want to do. Abraham, Moses, Jonas, and Ananias all come to mind. So does Simon from today’s lesson.
I often wonder what went through Simon’s mind when he was pulled from the crowd to carry Jesus’ cross. We know from Mark and Luke’s accounts that Simon was “on his way in from the country” (Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26) when he was seized and forced to carry the cross. We don’t know if he knew what was going on, or if he knew Jesus who or He was. Regardless, he became the means by which the cross got to Golgotha.
Jesus didn’t want to go to the cross either. He talked to His Father about it. Three times he asked God, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39. See also Matthew 26:42 and 44.) Even while hanging on the cross, Jesus asked His father, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46. See also Psalm 22:1.) His crying out in agony and abandonment with these words shows that, as horrible as what He was going through was, it was all according to God’s plan. Jesus was really bearing our sin. He was really bearing our judgement.
God was pouring out his wrath, which should have been meant for us, on His Son, Jesus. Jesus was suffering the weight of all the sins of all people and the judgement for those sins. God’s will prevailed.
Jesus voluntarily gave Himself for us so that we might not suffer and that we might live. He endured injustice, scorn, betrayal, and physical suffering. Jesus knew that His persecution was a short-term trial as He carried out his long-term purpose of joy. That joy is for us. Because Jesus followed what God desired, our sins are forgiven; our salvation has been granted; we are redeemed. Hallelujah!
PRAYER PRACTICE
Oh Heavenly Father, we cannot even comprehend the enormity of what Jesus did for us on Calvary. He was separated from You as He took on the full force of Your wrath on account of our sin. He bore the full weight of our transgressions and guilt on His sinless shoulders. We are humbled and enormously thankful. Help us demonstrate our gratefulness by living our lives to glorify You. Amen.
If you want to praise God for what He did for us, listen to This is our God by Phil Wickham
