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Friday, February 13th, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Exodus 35:10-36:38
Matthew 27:32-66
Psalm 34:1-10
Proverbs 9:7-8
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/LWQkTz
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” – Matt 27:39-40
Witnesses of the Crucifixion had a backwards definition of kingship. They passed by Jesus, hanging on the Cross, and ridiculed Him. “If you are the Son of God,” they said, “Come down from the Cross!”
The witnesses thought that godliness meant coming down off the Cross. Earthly rulers prove their prominence through self-promotion and self-preservation. According to earthly standards, the ability to preserve power and cling to one’s position of authority is what defines a leader.
But Jesus Christ is not an earthly ruler. He is the King of Heaven. Godliness actually means staying on the Cross. Jesus Christ did not prove His authority by preserving Himself; He proved it through sacrifice. He gave His life so that all of us could keep ours. There is no greater demonstration of dominion than that.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the Cross! Jesus proved He Is God by staying on the Cross; not by coming off it. I know He died for me. I repent of all my sins, and I accept Him into my heart. Make me new, Lord, in Jesus’ name!