The Cross

Pilate asked them again, "Then what do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?"
Again they shouted, "Crucify Him!"
Then Pilate said to them, "Why? What has He done wrong?"
But they shouted, "Crucify Him!" All the more.
Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Mark 15:12-15

This was the first reference to crucifixion by Mark. However Jesus had hinted at it in 8:34 where Jesus told His followers to 'take up their cross and follow Him.'

Jesus was denying Himself. He preferred that this cup be passed by but He knew that He was the only One who could wrestle us back from Satan. The horror of what He faced He would have seen around as criminals were killed in this fashion.

We want a good life, where marriage never fails, children never suffer and life is good. Yet, rarely is it. Pain and suffering are a part of our lives. These experiences are our crosses that can lead us deeper into Christ. However, if we resent and reject and instead feel sorry for ourselves we cause ourselves and those around greater suffering and only death results.

Life came out of the sacrifice Jesus made. Life came because He looked to the Father and put His trust in Him, even as the pain intensified and the cruelty grew worse He kept His eyes on the hope that was before Him, never despising the shame.

The Father has the answers, He knows where all this is going. Trust Him! Amen!

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