Vital Signs: Thursday, April 17, 2025

The Power of the Cross

“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last. So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, ‘Certainly this was a righteous Man!’ And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.” - ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭44‬-‭49‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Jesus went on trial before two other leaders, and though He was completely innocent, He was sentenced to death. People were upset about the following Jesus had and how He was changing their culture.

The religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus’ message of love and grace, so they decided to take matters into their own hands. Jesus was whipped, beaten, mocked, and forced to carry His cross up a hill in the middle of His torture. His hands and feet were nailed to the wood, a crown of thorns was placed upon His head to mock Him, and then He hung on the cross for hours, waiting to die.

Crucifixion was the worst way to die and caused indescribable amounts of pain and agony. Eventually, Jesus declared, “It is finished,” died, and was buried in a tomb. It seemed like everything Jesus stood for and preached about was over and done with. But three days later, Jesus rose again from the dead. His body was a sacrifice for our sins. When He took our punishment, He made a way for us to be made right with God and have a restored relationship with Him. By rising from the dead, Jesus proved that He has all power. He has risen!

How do you need to respond to Jesus today?

If you’ve never trusted Jesus, why not now?