David Rathel - August 28, 2016
Lift Up the Cross
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” John 12:32 “My life… I give it of my own free will” “Forgive them… they don’t know what they are doing” John 10:18 GNT “No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father has commanded me to do.” John 10:18 EXB “No one takes it away from me; I give [lay down] my own life ·freely [voluntarily; of my own free will]. I have the ·right[power; authority] to give [lay down] my life, and I have the ·right [power; authority] to ·take [receive] it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.” John 10:18 MSG “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.” Luke 23:33-35 Berean Study Bible 33When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. 34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. 35The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” The Cross is not Merely Our Past Substitution, but also Our Present Crucifixion. TOTAL SACRIFICE for OTHERS. TOTAL EXPECTATION from GOD.
