Lent Devotions

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Good Friday, April 18: Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Posted: 17 Apr 2014 06:09 AM PDT

Read: John 19:17-30

Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be. (v. 24 ESV)

I know I’ve sung these words dozens of times; maybe you have too:
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand–

The truth is that the cross of Jesus was not a nice place. None of us would really have wanted to stand beneath it. The only ones who were literally right there underneath Jesus’ cross were the soldiers. Having crucified him, these guards settled down to the more pleasant task of dividing Jesus’ possessions among themselves, while they waited for him to die.

I wonder which one of them won his seamless tunic and what he did with it. Did he sell it for a few coins? Did he trade it for a bottle to drink, or use it to hire a woman for the night? Or did he take it home, keep it for himself? What if he covered himself with that garment? In spiritual terms, that is exactly what we do when we trust in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. His death becomes our righteousness. He covers our shame with his perfect obedience and sacrificial blood.

Jesus, thy blood and righteousness,
My beauty are, my glorious dress.
Midst flaming worlds, in these array’d,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
–David Bast

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may your blood cover my sin.

Words of Hope is an international media ministry, founded and owned by classes of the RCA, dedicated to building the church in the hard places. The Words of Hope devotional encourages readers to grow spiritually through daily Bible readings and prayer. To subscribe, please visit: woh.org/word/devotionals/.