[To those that were there] I would ask, ‘If you had been standing in front of that cross on that day, what did you see?’
Man # 1: I saw a blasphemer get what He deserved.
Man # 2: I saw a wretched, evil Man hanging.
Man # 3 I saw a @#*&^!, the dirty dog.
Man # 4: I saw a crazy One on in that cross.
Man # 5: I saw the One I spit on, die there.
Man # 6: I saw the One we wanted to stone to death, but He got His!
Woman # 1: I saw the One who healed people.
Woman # 2: I saw the One who had never met me, but knew my past.
Woman # 3: I saw the One who taught with authority in the synagogue.
Woman # 4: I saw my Son, beaten, tortured, hung to die, my Son!
To the streets in 2018, showing an artist’s drawing of Christ on the cross I ask, ‘What did you see?’
Man # 1: I see what happens to crazy people who think they are God.
Man # 2: I see what they call Jesus on a cross, I guess.
Man # 3: I’m late for a meeting. I have no time for you religious nuts!
Man # 4: I see what punishment awaited criminals in the old days.
Man # 5: I see the devil must have won!
Man # 6: Is that a famous painting? I guess I see something worth money. Am I right?
Woman # 1: Yeah, my grandma has a cross on her bedroom wall. I guess I see that.
Woman # 2: I see a Man put to a horrible death.
Woman # 3: I see God’s grace and Christ’s sacrifice for us.
I think that most people in the world today might give a fairly accurate response, and, yes, some would seem happy that Jesus got what He ‘deserved’. But, think about it, if you had been there, be you man, woman, boy or girl; what did you see?
And what did you think? This Man ready to take His final breath, a man of only 33 years, a Man Who worked hard as a carpenter for many years. A Man who eventually left His home with nothing, going town to town, preaching, healing, revealing wisdom, warning of times yet to come, feeding thousands with a mere handful of food; a Man Who stumped those trying to trick Him, a Man Who offered things like peace, joy, freedom, and most of all, salvation and eternal life!
Had you been there in those days He walked this earth, would you have believed Him or merely mocked him? And what about today? This very day, as you read this message, do you, today, believe Him? His message is for you, for today! He gave up His life to save you. The only ‘work’ that He requires of you is that you believe that you trust in Him 100%. (And that you confess our sins and turn from them towards His loving grace). That is all He asks of you!
God knows us humans all too well. God knows of our sinful pride. Our pride tries to make us believe that we can ‘work’ our way to heaven, but the only ‘work’ God will accept from us is our 100% faith that Christ died for us to save us from Hell and to get us into His Kingdom. (And that we confess our sins and turn from them towards His loving grace). Please read the book of Romans in the Bible a few times, so that you truly see what Christ did for us, by God’s grace.
For now, check out this condensed version and be saved today!
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17)
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”(2 Corinthians 5:21)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9)
“… The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”(Mark 1:15)
“Jesus saith… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”(John 14:6)
“Jesus said… I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”(John 11:25-26)
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”(2 Corinthians5:17)
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”(John 3:36)
O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life:
Come and dwell in me and cleanse me from every stain, and save my soul, O gracious Lord.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on me. Lord, cleanse me from my sins. Master, pardon my iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal my infirmities for thy Name’s sake. Lord, have mercy.
Editor: Paul Bero, Michigan Prisoner
Artist: Rick Spooner, Michigan
c 2018 CON-TRACTS