What Jesus Did on the Cross!

This Sunday will be Passover - some folks call it Easter; others might call it Resurrection Sunday, but today we're going to use the word Passover. I thank God for Passover, for it was on that day and what He did on that cross that makes it possible for us to live spiritual and have the victory.

Jesus was an amazing man in the natural - He had such a wonderful attitude - even while hanging on the cross. I'm pretty sure that His attitude was MUCH different from what ours would have been if we had been in the same situation. It was even different from the people that were hanging around the cross on that day. I want to share Jesus's attitude, because it’s the one we must have as we carry our financial, emotional and career-related crosses today.

On that fateful day, there were hours of light and hours of darkness. While Jesus was hanging on the cross during the hours of light, He was forgiving as the Bible tells us in Luke 23:34-35, "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." When we are walking in our hours (or days) of light, that's what we should be doing - Forgiving. If some of us are being honest with ourselves, we would admit that although the light is shining on us, both naturally and spiritual, we are still not forgiving. Let’s learn to forgive people. Jesus did it and He was hanging on the cross with nails in His hands and nails in His feet. You and I aren't dealing with even half of that!

As we continue to read through the 23rd book of Luke, we find the second thing that Jesus did in verse 43, "And Jesus said unto him, Verily (or truly) I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." In other words, Jesus told the thief that He was taking him (the thief) with Him (Jesus) to paradise. In Jesus' hours of light, He spoke the truth - are we speaking the truth? Are we forgiving our enemies? The people around the cross were sinning against the Lord even as He was dying for them... and us. Not only was He forgiving and speaking the truth to them; He was also leading them into good pasture. My friends, we must be like the criminal hanging on the cross with Him - we have got to cry out to Him. At this very moment, He’s ready and more than able to carry us out of whatever we are in. Whether we are a thief or a convicted murderer, Jesus is ready to take us to Paradise with Him. All we have to do is say, "Lord remember me... have mercy on me" and be sincere in doing so. If we will do that, He will prepare a table for us right in front of all our enemies, even when we are getting just what we deserve.

The third thing He did while on the cross where He was hanging bleeding, dying and hurting was to make sure that His mother was going to be taken care of. In John 19:26-27, the scriptures tell us that "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Women, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." Not only did He take care of His mother (mother speaks of safety and comfort), but also He also took care of His good friend John. That’s the same thing He’ll do for me and you. When we are carrying our crosses (situations and burdens), if we'll just remember to call on him sincerely, He will make sure that we are taking care of.

When we call on Him, He will forgive us. He will speak the truth to us; He will lead us to green pasture; and He will make sure that we are taking care of. He did it for that thief on the cross and He will do it for us. Thank God for Passover!

With all that said, let the Church say amen… and AMEN!