August 10, 2020: SOAP #3903:  Jeremiah 5-6; John 12

Scripture:  John (NIV) 12:23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Observation:   When we think of someone being glorified, our thoughts include joy and happiness.  We think of celebrating someone’s good character and great accomplishments. 

But Jesus was not headed to some grand celebration, but to a cruel cross.  There is no place where Jesus was more glorified than on the cross.  It is on the cross we see the perfect holiness of God expressed in Jesus.  It is on the cross we see the perfect love of God expressed in Jesus. 

Without the cross, man’s sin would keep the Holy God from reaching to us in love; His love would be stifled.  Or, without the cross, God’s holiness would be tainted if He lovingly brought sinful into His fellowship. 

Oh, what wisdom God displayed through the cross.  The Holy and Loving God could reach out to sinful man and draw him to Himself.  Through the cross, God’s holiness remains perfect as man’s sins are erased.  Through the cross, God’s love is fulfilled in reaching to His prize creation in whom God longs to dwell. 

Application:   Believing that Jesus did this for me, I asked Him to forgive my sins.  I asked Him to live in my heart and be the Lord of my life.  I now live with the goal of pleasing Him.    

Prayer:   Lord, the wisdom, love, and holiness expressed in your cross amazes me.  Thank you for forgiving my sins and accepting me into you family.  May my life honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!