TEN THOUSAND ANGELS
Romans 5:8
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
I remember many years ago, when a TV outdoors personality was caught hunting without proper licensing while in out in the field. I read the article where he attempted to put the blame on others. But, in the end he was guilty and he had to pay the price for his own guilt.
Today as I recalled that, it made me consider, who nailed Christ to the cross? Interesting question isn't it? I'm guessing it was the Roman soldiers. That's what the movies show us. We assume they swung the hammer. Or maybe it was Pilot, he gave the order for crucifixion, right? He was the one that had the power to set Jesus free, but didn't. It could have been the Jewish leaders, they were the ones that called for His crucifixion.
Or was it you or me? If Jesus died for my sin and your sin then we must take the blame. If He died for your sin then He hung on that miserable, painful cross because of you and for me. Each of us put a perfect, innocent man to death... And what did He do to repay us? He forgave us, even right there in terrible physical and emotional pain He cried out... "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing"... (Luke 23:34)
But Jesus is God and being God He was and is all-powerful... being all-powerful He could have stopped the crucifixion. But like the lambs that were killed for the payment of sin in the Old Testament, Jesus was the Lamb that was to be slain for our sins. He was willing to be nailed to a cross for me, and for you.
I remember back when I was a boy my parents had an 8 track tape by Loretta Lynn. I remember listening to one song in particular.
"HE COULD HAVE CALLED TEN THOUSAND ANGELS."
Christ could have called ten thousand angels... Angels to come and destroy those that meant to kill him. Or He could have just spoken the word. But He didn't... There was a price to be paid for our sins and either we paid it, over and over again or Jesus paid it, once for all.
He forgave those that hung him there... all of us, you and me.
We are beginning the Christmas season when we will celebrate the birth of Christ. As you think of His birth, remember also His death and resurrection.
Remember, "HE COULD HAVE CALLED TEN THOUSAND ANGELS"
They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where he prayed
They led him thru the streets in shame
They spat upon the savior so pure and free from sin
They said, "crucify him: he's to blame
To the howling mob he yielded: he did not for mercy cry
The cross of shame he took alone
And when he cried, "It's finished," he gave himself to die
Salvation's wondrous plan was done
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
But he died alone, for you and me.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
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