“Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple robe around Him. And they repeatedly came up to Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews! ” and were slapping His face.
When the chief priests and the temple police saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify! ” Pilate responded, “Take Him and crucify Him yourselves, for I find no grounds for charging Him.””
John 19:1-3, 6 HCSB
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided His clothes and cast lots.”
Luke 23:34 HCSB
On this Good Friday, I’m thinking of how Jesus hung there...
Even though the very people He came to save, beat Him and ripped the hair out of His face...even though they spit on Him and called Him names...even though they whipped Him until flesh hung from His sides and mocked Him...even though they put a crown of thorns on His Head and hung Him on a cross...even though they blasphemed His Name and gambled for His clothes...even though they pierced Him in His side...even though He could’ve gotten down at any moment if He wanted to, He chose to HANG THERE ANYWAY!!
Even though Jesus Christ, King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of Peace, the Son of God, knew while hanging on the cross that not all would accept salvation...even though He knew not everyone would choose to worship Him in the earth...even though He knew people would reject Him and come against Him...even though He knew people would turn away or not turn to Him at all...even though Christ knew people would blaspheme His Name...even though He knew people would ignorantly and willingly choose to worship satan (the very one He defeated and freed us from) He still CHOSE to go to the Cross and HANG THERE ANYWAY.
Even though He knew all that would transpire, He said, “not My will Father, but Yours be done.”(Luke 22:42)
I want to encourage others today as God has encouraged me...
Just because it doesn’t feel good doesn’t mean it’s not God!
Just because it hurts or makes you uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s not God. Just because it causes people to reject and mock you doesn’t mean it’s not God. Just because it’s not what you wanted, prayed for or expected doesn’t mean that it’s not God. Just because at the moment it doesn’t look good does not mean it’s not God.
We are so quick to give up, back down, throw in the towel and claim it isn’t God leading us or telling us to do something when that ‘said something’ requires us to be uncomfortable, mocked, rejected or persecuted. But what if those things are a sign that you are actually in God’s will? (John 15:18-25)
We’ve painted this picture that being in God’s will means everything goes smoothly and you’re blessed with this car, that house or a lump sum of cash, but the truth of the matter is, that’s not even biblical. I’m not saying that any time something goes wrong or you’re mistreated that that’s because you’re in God’s will. Neither I’m not saying that if you’re blessed with a car, house, or lump sum of cash, that you’re out of God’s will.
What I AM saying is that just because turmoil is present doesn’t mean that God is not. Just because pain is involved doesn’t mean that God is not. In fact, most followers of Christ in the first century endured much pain and persecution for the cause of Christ. And even today, many brothers and sisters in foreign countries endure much crucifixion for the cause of Christ.
My word to all of you reading this is, regardless of what you’re having to endure, HANG IN THERE ANYWAY!
Christ Himself experienced the most pain, rejection and persecution...but He was completely and totally in the will of the Father.
Had Jesus been of the world and done as the world wished, He would’ve never been rejected, He would’ve never been mocked, He would have never been beaten and He would have never been crucified.
Sometimes God allows pain because of what the pain produces.
It pleased God to have Him crushed all for His glory that He may bring His people back to Him. (Isaiah 53:10)
The pain served a greater purpose.
THERE IS ALWAYS PURPOSE BEHIND THE PAIN THAT GOD ALLOWS.
“In the same way I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born," says the Lord.”
Isaiah 66:9
Affliction affirms assignment!
We must have the mind, Spirit and attitude of Christ. We must have the attitude that, “not my will, Father, but YOURS be done”.
Your job may not be what you want but God has you there on assignment for those around you so HANG IN THERE ANYWAY.
Your family may come against you and mistreat you but God placed you in that family for a reason so HANG IN THERE ANYWAY.
They may insult you and slander you, reject you and persecute you, talk down to you, lie on you, despitefully use you but, HANG IN THERE ANYWAY!
You may not see how this situation is going to work out, you may not see how you’re going to be victorious, you may not see how you can win but God is in control. Trust Him and HANG IN THERE ANYWAY.
No matter how painful, uncomfortable or troubling this momentary affliction may feel, ask God what your assignment is for being there, how to complete that assignment and then HANG IN THERE ANYWAY.
“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
“Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.”
1 Peter 4:13
Even though Jesus was tired, He hung there anyway. Even though He was thirsty, He hung there anyway. Even though He was in pain, He hung there anyway.
He had a choice to remain on that cross or get down but He hung there anyway just like we daily have a choice to bear our cross...let’s hang in there anyway.
Just because it doesn’t look good doesn’t mean it’s not God-ordained.
Can you trust God when He allows you to be persecuted? Can you say “not my will but Yours be done” when His will is for you to be rejected?
Whatever His will requires, HANG IN THERE ANYWAY.
“Then their whole assembly rose up and brought Him before Pilate.
The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him. Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt, mocked Him, dressed Him in a brilliant robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.
Then they all cried out together, “Take this man away! Release Barabbas to us! ”
Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify Him! ” A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in Him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him.” But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices won out.
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided His clothes and cast lots. The people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing: “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One! ””
Luke 23:1, 10-11, 18, 20-23, 34-35 HCSB
Please Read:
Isaiah 53
Luke 23
John 19
For more details of just what Christ endured on our behalf.🙏🏽