Reading God’s Word: Mark 15:22-47; Psalm 44:1-16

Memorizing God’s Word: Ephesians 3:17b-18 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

Meditating on God’s Word: Mark 15:26 “The written notice of the charge against him read: ‘the King of the Jews.‘“

Praying God’s Word: “Lord, what an odd thing this notice must have been to people passing by who were used to seeing “thief” or “traitor” or “murderer” and instead “King of the Jews” – what kind of condemning charge is that?  Jesus, you didn’t fit any stereotypes of the day, you refused to conform to the religious boxes many tried to fit you in.  So, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised you had a notice of guilt that was a declaration of title!  You were what the Jews always needed – God as King as well as a perfect Man who would rule like no other Jewish King ever could.  The same ruler, Pilate, who wrote that notice also declared you ‘innocent’ and so made another important declaration that you were the perfect and spotless lamb of God for the sins of all mankind. All praise to you for changing my notice of condemnation into a declaration of your victory over it, King Jesus!  at the top of my empty cross is the word “forgiven” Amen.”