How many of us would have been on the side of those who called for Jesus’ crucifixion? I know it’s hard to think we could have been a part of such a horrendous undertaking. After all, what did Jesus do to deserve such hatred when His message called for love?
The Jewish religious leaders wanted to get rid of Him. They felt threatened by the control and popularity Jesus had over the masses. They didn’t want to give up their status quo. Jesus’ message of love and equality didn’t fit into the segregationists’ agenda. Therefore, they influenced the crowd to call for His crucifixion.
Crucify Him!
And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 13 And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him (Mark 15:12-14).
Are you part of a modern-day crucifixion?
That same love message is put before us today, and many are rejecting it like the crowd did who yelled crucify Him. But before we say we wouldn’t have been involved in such an abomination, let’s think about that for a moment. Many of us don’t realize it, but we would have nailed Him to that cross if we had to choose between the cross or being kind and loving everybody.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20)
- How many of us go along with all the hate crimes and division in our nation?
- How many of us pretend like we don’t see all the injustice and inequality in the world?
- How many of us point our self-righteous fingers at prostitutes, drug addicts, and others who the world judge as repulsive?
- How many of us are quick to put people in hell for their sins yet excuse our iniquities?
- How many of us feel superior to immigrants, the homeless, and others in a state of deprivation?
Jesus accepted those who were despised, which of course, angered the hypocrites of His day. He ripped the disguises right off those who claimed to love God but walked in malice. Isn’t He doing the same thing today? All our prejudices are being exposed. He has made us sound silly as we try to justify the unjustifiable.
Are you following the footsteps who called for Jesus’ crucifixion, or do you have the faith to walk in the footsteps of His love for humanity?
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).
Crucify Him?
See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.
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