John 19

Wow what a day! I actually logged on today to begin my post that I was originally supposed to post last night but didn't and I got side tracked! We have had such a busy day today that I felt like I didn't stop! I really didn't! From yard work, to the Bryant baseball game, to the store, to my nana's then back home to paint a bookshelf. It really has been packed. I'm feeling guilty though because I didn't post last night. I am finding that I tend to put off typing things out because my screen on my computer is cracked and I need to have it fixed. So I'm typing everything out on my phone. You know how that goes! At any rate, John 19 is EXTREMELY difficult to read. My heart goes out to Mary during this chapter because as a mother, I cannot imagine how she feels. I know that most people tend to focus on Jesus while discussing this chapter, but I want to focus on Jesus as well as Mary. First, when jesus sees his mother there at the foot of the cross, he doesn't cry out to her or beg her(or anyone) to rescue him. He humbly accepted his fate and what else did he do?! He worrried about what his mother would do after he passed away. I think he wanted to be sure that even after he rose and ascended into heaven that she would be taken care of. We can learn so much from this relationship that Jesus had with his mother. The Bible tells us in James 1:27 that we should take care of widows and orphans. Time and time again I have not wanted to help someone who needed the help because I felt like they weren't spending their money or time wisely. As I've gotten older I've realized that God doesn't care about their life circumstances. He doesn't care if they are spending money and time wisely or not. He expects us to help them and care for them. I am a single mother. If I didn't live with my parents, I'd have a difficult time maintaining my house and yard. So it would be up to others to help me if I didn't have a family. We have so many youths in our community that have absolutely nothing. Jesus wants us to care for them, love them, and help them. Just because they live with their parents doesn't mean that they aren't emptionally abandoning them on a daily basis.

Back to John 19... My favorite part of this entire chapter is when Jesus tells Pilate, "you would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." I had CHILLS when I read this part. Jesus put him in his place and made Pilate realize that the only reason why he had any power of Jesus was because this was part of Gods plan and they were fulfilling it. Idk if Pilate recognized it then but I'm sure he was very uneasy about the whole situation.

The scene on the cross is almost unbearable to even attempt to imagine. For me, it pains me to know that Jesus basically was murdered, but he did it willingly, so that we could live in heave and have forgiveness, yet I sin all the time and basically don't even appreciate the fact that he died so I could live. My prayer and my challenge tonight is that we all make some sort of sign or symbol and carry it with us this week. Whether it be a cross or a mark on your hand. When you see it, remember what Jesus did for you and remember to thank him for his mercy and grace.