Daily Devotional
The Cross: Warning: For Mature Audiences Only
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand”
John 10:28
April 9, 2020
Ponder This
Tongue cannot tell, throat cannot sing, hand cannot paint, the tragedy that was called Calvary and the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Romans used crucifixion to inspire stark terror. Anybody who saw crucifixion said, “Romans, whatever you tell me to do, I’ll do it. Just don’t crucify me.” Our word excruciating comes from the Latin word excruciatus, which means “torment greatly,” or, in some translations, “out of the crucified.” When the executioners nailed the victim’s hand to the cross, they would separate the metacarpals and place the nail, not in the palm, but in the wrist. They would try to hit the median nerve to send pain up the body and into the torso. Jesus would have been crucified with his hands at a 90-degree angle, but when the body falls, it goes down to a 65-degree angle. The weight of the body comes down on the chest and leaves the crucified person gasping for breath. In order to breathe, he must lift himself up, but as he does he must push down on the nails that are in his feet. So he is between gasping for breath and searing with pain.
Practice This
On the cross, Jesus took Holy God with one hand, sinful man with the other hand, and by the blood of His cross reconciled God to man. He took us by the hand and presented us to God the Father. He said, “Father, these are Mine. I purchase them with My blood.” Have you taken His hand?
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FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
