Overcoming the odds

They crucified him and then divided his clothes among them by throwing dice. After that they sat there and watched him. Above his head they put the written notice of the accusation against him: ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.’ Then they crucified two bandits with Jesus, one on his right and the other on his left. (verses 35-38)

Read Matthew 27:32-44

Once an elderly lady had a stroke which paralysed her body, and she was not expected to live. As she lay in her hospital bed, her greedy relatives gloated by her side about the wealth they would receive when she died. However, she had not lost the power of hearing nor of reason. She also had movement in one little finger. A nurse noticed that tiny movement. She began to communicate   with the old lady, and through their ‘conversations’ the woman changed her will, leaving her relatives with nothing.

The soldiers gambled for Jesus’ clothes, sure of his impending death. What would they have done three days later if Jesus had come to them to ask for his coat back?

You know that Jesus is alive and that one day he will come for you. That time will not be a time of shame, as in the case of the greedy relatives, nor of shock, like what the soldiers would have felt. It will be a time of joy, when you will be reunited with your Saviour. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice on the cross. Help me to know you and be ready for your second coming. Amen.

by Kathy Hoopman, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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