HOLY WEEK : DAY 46

SCRIPTURE READING - DAY 46 (Holy Saturday)


Matthew 27:39-42

People passing along the road jeered,
shaking their heads in mock lament:
"You bragged that you could tear
down the Temple and then rebuild it in
three days—so show us your stuff! Save
yourself! If you're really God's Son, come
down from that cross!"

The high priests, along with the religion
scholars and leaders, were right there
mixing it up with the rest of them, having
a great time poking fun at him:

"He saved others—he can't save himself!
King of Israel, is he? Then let him get
down from that cross. We'll all become
believers then!” (The Message)




MEDITATION BY Tim Roehl


The crowd at the cross watched the most important event in human history,
and almost everyone missed the point!

It makes me ask, “How can people be so close to the cross…so close to Jesus’ saving sacrifice that fulfilled prophecy; reconciled sinful humanity and holy deity; defeated sin, death, hell, and Satan; and opened the door for us to have an eternal abundant relationship with him…and wind up walking away from him?”

I’ve met many people over the years who did the same thing. My heart has ached when I saw them profess a desire for God, but then resist truly surrendering to him.

This passage gives us clues to why this happens; it boils downs to our
expectations in our encounter with Jesus. In essence, we have some “hoops” that Jesus has to jump through in order for him to be worthy of our trust. We say with the crowd at the cross, "Show us your stuff…we’ll all become believers then!”

So what do these hoops look like? I’ve heard many say…

"I need to feel that God is real.”

"If Jesus answers my prayer the way I want, when I want, then I'll believe."

"Well, God knows my habits and beliefs, and he is love, so he understands."

"If Jesus proves that he is going to provide my needs, then I can trust him."

For many, God is only worthy of trust if these conditions are met. All these hoops are smoke screens for unwilling hearts. Every proof Jesus needed to provide was accomplished on the cross…and in failing their “tests,” he passed the only test that mattered for our salvation. I wish I could say I’ve never been guilty of trying to make Jesus jump through my hoops—putting my expectations on him instead of humbly meeting his. However, I’ve done that more than I want to admit.

Today, as you reflect on the crowd at the cross and become part of that crowd, consider the expectations you place on Jesus that hinder your commitment to him. Don’t make him jump through your hoops. Cross the bridge he’s made with that cross.




REFLECTION


When you think about expectations and making Jesus jump through hoops, what personal experiences come to mind?


What unfair or false expectations might be holding you back from truly experiencing what Jesus has done for you on the cross? As you identify them, lay them down at the cross and humbly receive what Jesus has for you.


Who can you encourage at this time and tell them how Jesus has worked in your own life?