God loves to take the activities and destruction of the enemy and showcase His grace. He takes ashes and brings forth beauty, turns failure into victory, restores what was lost, and redeems what was broken.

Why is the forgiveness of our sins for God’s sake? I always assumed it was for ours. We are the ones who are forgiven of sin, released from bondage, made righteous, accepted, and free. So what does He gain from a painful, humiliating, sin atoning sacrifice?

Even in their mockery, the chief priests and scribes echoed God’s purpose and plan. Jesus had saved others, but Himself He could not save.

When Jesus returns, His reward will be with Him. He will generously reward all that is of Him and remove all that is not. None of us will be left holding for eternity something that we regret, wrongly pursued, or mistakenly entertained.

Jesus chose the whip because He wants us healed. Our battle with temptation and sin does not negate the work of the cross, nor does any battle with sickness, infirmity, or disease undermine the redemption that has been freely given.

A friend is someone we turn to when we’re in need, someone who helps us, stands by us, and never abandons us during tough times.

Is this how we see Jesus?

We no longer need to live under guilt regarding our past or shame over what has been. We can choose to forget, because God already has.

God in His Holiness, reclaiming man in his sinfulness; unapproachable light infusing fallen man. Impossible. But then, He is the God of the impossible.

What passion of love would draw the infinite into the finite - for God Himself to put on flesh and live within our world. This truth is amazing.

Jesus declared in John 10 that He was the Door. His blood, shed on the cross of Calvary, is the door of our salvation.