Journey to the Cross

Pause

We all want to be accepted for who we are and for what we have to offer. What a blow it is, then, to be dismissed, ostracized, and rejected.

No one knew this experience more deeply than Jesus. Offering acceptance for so many, he was still misunderstood, feared, and ultimately put to death.

God offers this acceptance now to you. Open your heart to receive that love, as well as the one who came to show it to us.

Listen

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.”

John 12:20–26

Think

Today is Corrie Ten Boom’s birthday. Corrie and her family lived in Holland during the Nazi occupation of World War II. Her father led the family in sheltering Jews and members of the Dutch resistance movement sought by the Nazi police. The Ten Boom family saved the lives of 800 or more people by hiding them in their home, often behind a false wall in Corrie’s bedroom, before moving them to other safe houses or out of the country.

In February 1944, the Nazis arrested Corrie and her family and placed them in concentration camps. When asked about the “crimes” that led to their arrest, the Ten Boom family rejected Nazi violence and declared that their faith in Jesus led them to serve others. Her father said, “It would be an honor to give my life for [Jews].” Even though members of her family died in concentration camps, Corrie said, “God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies.”

Corrie died on her 91st birthday in 1983. [Quotes from www.corrietenboom.com]

Jay Kieve

Pray

Jesus, I may not be a war hero, but I can serve others. Show me how I may give my life to follow you. Amen.

Go

Jesus is coming. Will you accept him?
You have a gift. Will you offer it?
There will be sacrifice. Can you make it?

The Gospel of Christ is scandalous,
Yet it contains the very bread of life.

The choice is yours to make.