Scripture and the cross

On Good Friday we contemplate Jesus' suffering.  His dying for us.  The brutal beatings he endured, and the insults and disrespect he gracefully accepted break our hearts as we see that he did this for us.

For you.  For me.  And it makes me wonder, how can I best honor Jesus today? How do I respond to God's plan of redemption when it is so hard for me to understand? I would never have created a plan of salvation like this.

But after reading some devotionals and studying the scriptures, I found my offering. We are to become more Christlike as we mature in our relationship with the Lord, and Jesus models this for us on the cross.  

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? - Matthew 27:46
Jesus cries out to God from the cross, feeling the weight of the world's sin. But it's not just a cry. It's from Psalm 22:1. Jesus quotes scripture in his time of trial. He is crying out as a man who has had God's countenance temporarily removed as he pays the price for mankind.


Father, into your hands I commit my spirit - Luke 23:46
After being beaten and hanging on a cross for hours, Jesus finds the strength to loudly voice his last words. Jesus quotes Psalm 31:5 - I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God. Jesus words are slightly different, but we see the same relationship with the Father and a trust as he gives his eternal life to God.

On this Good Friday, these words of Jesus echo through the thin pages of the Bible.  Jesus quoted scripture when the devil tried to tempt him.  Throughout his ministry he referred to the Bible.  So why should we be surprised that his final words are those from the inspired word of God? After all, Jesus is the word. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Studying and memorizing scripture is studying and taking in my Lord.  When we pray scripture in good times and in hard times, we are in the Lord as our center.  May this offering of time and effort bring him all glory and honor.