Reading God’s Word: Matthew 27:32-44; Psalm 68:19-35

Memorizing God’s Word: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Meditating on God’s Word: Matthew 27:42-43 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

Praying God’s Word “Lord, these words recorded by Matthew are some of the most powerful and ironically true words spoken by those who witnessed your crucifixion. They were right: if you had saved yourself, you would not have been able to save us! They were right: You are indeed the King of Israel. They were right: You trusted the Father. They were right: You are the Son of God. But they were dead wrong about whether the Father ‘wanted you.’ Oh, Father, how your heart must have broken as you watched this scene unfold. Thank you, Jesus; thank you Father for the cross. Once again, Isaiah says “Yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities.” Our God is a God who Saves! Amen.”