" JESUS ~ The Great Magnet "

 

John 12:23-33 "And JESUS answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the SON Of MAN should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone; but if it die, it brings forth much fruit. He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve ME, let him follow ME; and where I AM, there shall also MY servant be: if any man serve ME, him will MY FATHER honor. Now is MY soul troubled; and what shall I say ? FATHER, save ME from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

FATHER, glorify THY name. Then came there a voice from Heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to HIM. JESUS answered and said, This voice came not because of ME, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto ME. This HE said, signifying what death HE should die."

     Three crosses were set upon Calvary's hill. The center cross was the cross of redemption as the SAVIOR bore "our sins in HIS OWN body on the tree" (1st.Peter 3:24). That cross was meant for Barabbas, whose name means "son of the father." The Jewish people wanted Pilate to release this murderer and crucify the HOLY ONE in his stead (Acts 3:14). As a result, the true "SON of the FATHER" went to the cross to suffer for sins - the RIGHTEOUS ONE for the unrighteous ones (1st.Peter 3:18 see pictured below).

     Two criminals died on the LORD's left and right. One malefactor refused to believe. His was the cross of rejection. The other evildoer initially hurled insults at JESUS (Matthew 27:44) but later changed his mind and believed (Luke 23:39-43). His was the cross of reception. Each cross carried a message: One MAN died for sins, in the sinner's place; one man died in his sins (John 8:24); the third man died with his sins forgiven (Acts 10:43 see pictured below).

     JESUS once predicted that when HE would be lifted up on the cross HE would draw all men unto HIMSELF (vv.32-33). A magnet attracts metal; the center cross attracts all mankind. All men are drawn to the center cross where a decision must be made. We each must answer this question: "What will I do with JESUS WHO is called the CHRIST?" (Matthew 27:22 see pictured below). Will I receive HIM or reject HIM ? Which evildoer will I imitate ? All men are drawn to the center cross where they must consider the crucified ONE and decide what they will do with HIM. We can see the cross as foolishness, or we can see the cross as the wisdom and power of GOD (1st.Corinthians 1:18, 24 (see 2nd.picture above). We can receive HIM or reject HIM. Like the thieves on the cross, our decision will determine our destiny. GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

SO, what will YOU do with JESUS ?