Words of Wisdom

Week 11 

FASTENED TO THE CROSS


FOCUS

Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, "The King of the Jews", but, "This man said, I am King of the Jews." '
John 19:21 (NRSV)

The religious hierarchy in Judea have got their wish. These religious people, who dearly love God The Father, failed to see any part of God in Jesus. Yes, Jesus is out of the way now, but there is a final protest.  It is about the sign that is fastened to the cross of Christ.

 

FACTS

The one who has the sign prepared and fastened to the cross, is Pilate - The secular leader.

  1. He Decides the actual wording to be placed on the sign. The religious leaders have no say in this matter.
  2. He Designs how it is to be written. Not in one language, but three, Aramaic, Latin and Greek, made accessible to all; no language barriers.
  3. He Dictates his wishes to his workers who obey fully, and make the notice for the cross according to his specifications.

Is it not fascinating that the Final Notice, the SIGN that is placed for all to see, has been completely taken out of the hands of the chief priests? And even when they discover what has been done and protest strongly to Pilate, it is too late to remove it. What is fastened to the Cross of Christ, stays put!

FREEDOM


In a world of untold and sometimes unimaginable suffering and sadness, in a world when so many are literally nailed daily to the cross of uncompromising pain, the cross of public shame, open mockery, ridicule and scorn, see but the SIGN. In the very life and death of those fastened to these crosses, may you be granted grace to read this bold sign,   'JESUS, THE KING  - VICTORIOUS!'

Look again at the sign Pilate had nailed to the Cross of Christ.  Remember, whoever passed by could read it in his or her own language.

When your life, or the lives of others are cruelly nailed to the crosses life brings so unreservedly, may the Paraclete give wisdom and understanding to stand in awesome Praise of Jesus. May you see yourself, or some other, followers of Jesus, as the earthly human signs the world reads daily. Yes, you are the sign that tells some passer-by, 'JESUS OUR KING IS VICTORIOUS!' 

You are the sign that notifies the tired, weary, afraid, faint of heart, and discouraged,  giving them HOPE and telling of the Dying Love of 'JESUS OUR KING VICTORIOUS!'  

And never forget , whatever language the passer-by reads, the message is available. .