Ezekiel 37:21-28; Jeremiah 31; John 11: 45-57
Too many Christians wonder why God would “will” the torture and death of an innocent man. God’s will is peace. Although some passages of the New Testament imply that God wanted this offering to wipe out sin, John offers a far different reason for the death of Jesus. We have seen the building hostility to his good news. We have heard that if he is lifted up he will draw all to himself. “Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not the nation only, but to gather into one new family all the scattered children of God.”
Jesus is the attractive sign, the beacon lifted up, drawing all to himself around the cross, to witness and to feel his love poured out—not to pacify God, but to create us brothers and sisters. How will you respond?
Jesus, thank you for not taking back one word of your good news which offered such hope to the little people of your time and to all people of all time. Thank you for your courage and your love!