365 Ways to Know God by Elmer Towns November 17

365 Ways to Know God by Elmer Towns

(Devotional Readings on the Names of God)

NOVEMBER 17

JESUS: CHRIST CRUCIFIED

But we preach Christ crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:23

Jesus is Christ Crucified, the Jewish Messiah who was executed by the Romans on a cross.

God’s people—the Jews—rejected Christ. The Jewish leaders sent Him to be tried in a Roman court. When Pilate wanted to release Jesus, the Jews cried out, “Crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21). It was then that the Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross and crucified Him. Six hours later, He died. Because the Jews allowed Rome to crucify Jesus, they actively rejected Him as their Messiah; yet He died for them and for the world.

Jesus, Your pain was my gain. You died for my sin that I might be

forgiven. While I’m horrified by the thought of crucifixion,

I worship You for being my Sin-bearer.

Being crucified did not catch Jesus by surprise. He came into the world to die for the world.

The Old Testament predicted His crucifixion, “He who is hanged [on a tree] is accursed by God” (Deuteronomy 21:23; see Galatians 3:13). Jesus’ death was necessary for Him to be “made a curse” for our sin (Galatians 3:13). When the curse was lifted from us, we were forgiven, we were free from punishment, we were acceptable to the Father. Christ was crucified for us.

Jesus, thank You for the ultimate sacrifice. I will live because You died.

I will escape the judgment of Hell, because You suffered my judgment.

I will live forever with the Father in Heaven because You left the Father

to come to earth to suffer rejection and crucifixion for me. Amen.

Reading: John 19:16-30

Key Thought: Christ was crucified for me.