Friday, August 13

Let’s finish the week by meditating on the Cross. After all, it is through the cross that we have all received mercy.

Every gospel writer tells us that Jesus was crucified between two criminals.

Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. - Matthew 27.38

They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. - Mark 15.27

32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. - Luke 23.32-33

18Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. - John 19.18

We have to keep in mind that this death, being nailed to and hung on a cross, was not for everyone, it was reserved for the worst of the worst. It was reserved for criminals who were sentenced not only to die, but to suffer along the way. Jesus dies the death of a criminal. What do you think the implications are of the kind of death Jesus died?

Look at Philippians chapter 2


5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2.5-11

It was at the cross that Christ humbled himself most, and he did it on our behalf. He died our death for us. Therefore each one of us out of gratitude and humility ought to take on the very same nature of humility. Humility before Christ and humility before others.

Ken Lippold
Director of Equipping Ministries
First Baptist Church of Geneva, IL