HE WAS RAPED

As we prepare for the Easter season this year, let's remember that the Easter bunny didn't die for us. Chocolate eggs didn't suffer on a cruel cross. Easter egg hunts can't cover our sins ... Jesus is the reason for the Season!

Today's Devotional: HE WAS RAPED

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.” (Matthew 27: 27 - 31 KJV)

Two of the definitions that I found for the word “raped” in Webster’s Dictionary are “a: to seize and take away by force; b: despoil: to strip of belongings, possessions, or value.” These definitions describe very well what happened to our precious Saviour. He was taken away by force and stripped not only of His raiment, but also of His value. I believe as the crown of thorns was pressed down tightly on His head and the blood flowed; the crown of thorns also entered His heart and His tears was mingled with His blood.

They took the reed and smote Him on His head. They spit on our precious Saviour and then they mocked Him. They said “Hail, King of the Jews!” but they were not honoring Him, they were mocking Him. If ever someone’s heart was broken and He felt all alone, it was Jesus as He endured that shame and horror for you and for me. His own Father had to turn away from Him as Jesus hung on the cruel cross of Calvary. Our Heavenly Father is a Holy God and He can’t look on sin. Jesus had taken our sins on Him so His Father had to turn away from Him. How God must have cried on that terrible day!

Jesus is still enduring the excruciating pain, the horror, and the sorrow of the cross today because people are still mocking Him and they are still rejecting Him. May God have mercy on us for continuing to hurt the precious Son of God! If you have never admitted that you are a sinner and asked Jesus to forgive you for your sins and come into your heart to be your personal Saviour, you are mocking Him and rejecting Him. Jesus has suffered enough. Please don’t keep hurting Him. Give your heart and life to Jesus today and take away some of the pain in His heart. Are you raping Jesus by stripping Him of His value by rejecting Him and denying that He is the Saviour of the world? If so, may God have mercy on your soul.

Joanne Lowe

January 7, 2009 joannelowe8@cox.net www.fromtheheartofjesus.blogspot.com

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