“As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene… and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” — Luke 23:26 Jesus was exhausted—beaten, tried, mocked, and now forced to carry the heavy crossbeam toward Golgotha. At some point, His strength gave way. The soldiers grabbed a passerby, Simon of … Continue reading Three Ways People Relate to the Cross
Judas
A Betrayer’s Kiss
Matthew 26:47–56 In the moment of His betrayal, Jesus meets Judas not with recoil but with remarkable gentleness. The kiss meant to expose Him in the dark reveals instead the tenderness with which He had lived among His disciples. They knew Him as one who welcomed them close—as an elder Brother and a beloved Friend. … Continue reading A Betrayer’s Kiss
The Lamb and His Betrayer
Luke 22:1–18 Judas Iscariot stands as a solemn warning to every follower of Christ. He walked with Jesus, heard His teaching, witnessed His miracles, and even preached in His name—yet his heart remained unchanged. Outwardly, he appeared genuine; inwardly, he was enslaved to sin. His tragic fall reminds us that proximity to Jesus is not … Continue reading The Lamb and His Betrayer
Owning Our Share in the Guilt and Grace of the Cross of Jesus Christ
The cross of Jesus Christ was not something that frustrated God’s plan but served as the ultimate fulfillment of His plan. For who was it that ultimately delivered Jesus to die? Not Judas for money, not Pilate for fear, not the Jews for envy, but the Father for love. The Apostle Peter preaching at Pentecost … Continue reading Owning Our Share in the Guilt and Grace of the Cross of Jesus Christ
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