Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Reflection - Paul Van Gorder - Those Who Passed By

Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 28, "Those Who Passed By", Page 34.
By Paul Van Gorder, Our Daily Bread Author
 

 Those who passed by hurled insults at him. - Mark 15:29
PHOTO: Those who passed by hurled insults at him. - Mark 15:29
Read: Mark 15:24-38

Consider the people who callously passed by the Savior as He hung on the cross. How heartless they were! But before we rush to judge them, let's remember that many are still doing it today. They fall into three groups.

Those who want a cross without Christ. It's possible to revere a symbol without the Savior. Some may clasp in their hand a miniature cross made of wood or gold, but that emblem will never atone for even one sin. It is Christ alone who redeems our souls with His precious blood.

Those who want a Christ without a cross. They want a conqueror, not a dying Lamb. They would cry, "Come down from the cross!" (Mark 15:30). Many desire a good example, a great teacher, or a triumphant king. Their gospel is one of works. They despise the gospel that declares we are justified by faith in One who shed His blood on the cross.

Those who want neither Christ nor His cross. They are untouched by His sorrow, unmoved by His suffering, and unrepentant of their sins that He bore. Never have they exclaimed as did the songwriter John M. Moore: "All my iniquities on Him were laid - He nailed them all to the tree. Jesus the debt of my sin fully paid - He paid the ransom for me."

The cross of Christ reveals our sin at its worst and God's love at its best.

Those who passed by hurled insults at him. - Mark 15:29
Read: Mark 15:24-38


 Consider the people who callously passed by the Savior as He hung on the cross.
PHOTO: Consider the people who callously passed by the Savior as He hung on the cross. How heartless they were! But before we rush to judge them, let's remember that many are still doing it today.
Artwork by Gustave Dore (1832-1883) - The Crucifixion Of Jesus
Picture posted by gettyimages
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJr5FD46lEfYYpm7P81Pj_oZoyxqnPy7FLvDG_MnXlE3VMaqtMDmX4iTIscJm-3JomqDRJAUmCsd1JTyyqM7wAAZlw5k7RERqDj6fcVM3ImIK0y92klDolPFAa1yY2m_fMsGpoqlFmqn4kd32Ln0h52HaKEticKIk-eg0oMcpQSBj33u-h_benD-e/s2048/gettyimages-187253568-2048x2048_1.png
https://media.gettyimages.com/id/187253568/vector/the-crucifixion-of-jesus.jpg?s=2048x2048&w=gi&k=20&c=oVFl6Tv01Bf4MIcU5fiCEodf3xbwlLh1gBh3Kj-oIWI=
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/illustration/the-crucifixion-of-jesus-royalty-free-illustration/187253568
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2016/05/reflection-godliness-and-persecution.html


Those who want a cross without Christ. It's possible to revere a symbol without the Savior. Some may clasp in their hand a miniature cross made of wood or gold, but that emblem will never atone for even one sin. It is Christ alone who redeems our souls with His precious blood.


 Those who want a cross without Christ.
PHOTO: Those who want a cross without Christ. It's possible to revere a symbol without the Savior. Some may clasp in their hand a miniature cross made of wood or gold, but that emblem will never atone for even one sin. It is Christ alone who redeems our souls with His precious blood.
Picture posted by Kendra, Catholic All Year on 18 August 2021
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIOxYrgqv-SciPPHrX4IALPhst882FFu1aMR5yuDIN1f1Qa--8C0srgpuWzV9Aqbz_J_cXpAeSQ1FgU_f_uB6EwivgxgaK2nE8vrANLrPjd_023iAl9V2vJ1GbeOgeDZMAZvderlsQNJwrCWSKCjU_hVf4jy7RTOWqcyRj0Fru4cMY0dIZHvbtvnL/s980/IMG_14381-980x980.jpg
https://catholicallyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_14381-980x980.jpg
https://catholicallyear.com/blog/making-a-rosary-with-no-special-tools-and-almost-no-knots-because-knots-are-hard/


Those who want a Christ without a cross. They want a conqueror, not a dying Lamb. They would cry, "Come down from the cross!" (Mark 15:30). Many desire a good example, a great teacher, or a triumphant king. Their gospel is one of works. They despise the gospel that declares we are justified by faith in One who shed His blood on the cross.


 Those who want a Christ without a cross.
PHOTO: Those who want a Christ without a cross. They want a conqueror, not a dying Lamb. They would cry, "Come down from the cross!" (Mark 15:30). Many desire a good example, a great teacher, or a triumphant king. Their gospel is one of works. They despise the gospel that declares we are justified by faith in One who shed His blood on the cross.
Picture posted by Traveling knowledge
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyqpGYEUGqw8W0RaMXsTRGtqut1gdB6QrDo9c1FSdMDP7ZMIGEYug_I0_at30gAVjS20un4zVyrluUOWSHpjMrxxwYxcQEF1jiEyKL7HRhJvtdXOGXI-LILD3UJUxGVvRvAiYYWP7MZeqSJyfr1Nmq6E52CbunYubSXMySB0vSqs6oOgZ0Yl2-Nev/s6000/photo-1588943458226-b4807676801a.jpg
https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1588943458226-b4807676801a?ixid=MnwxMzcxOTN8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0NHx8amVzdXN8ZW58MHx8fHwxNjQ5OTI0Mzgy&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&fm=jpg&w=4000&h=6000&fit=max
https://travelingknowledge.com/web-stories/how-is-easter-celebrated/


Those who want neither Christ nor His cross. They are untouched by His sorrow, unmoved by His suffering, and unrepentant of their sins that He bore. Never have they exclaimed as did the songwriter John M. Moore: "All my iniquities on Him were laid - He nailed them all to the tree. Jesus the debt of my sin fully paid - He paid the ransom for me."


 Those who want neither Christ nor His cross.
PHOTO: Those who want neither Christ nor His cross. They are untouched by His sorrow, unmoved by His suffering, and unrepentant of their sins that He bore. Never have they exclaimed as did the songwriter John M. Moore: "All my iniquities on Him were laid - He nailed them all to the tree. Jesus the debt of my sin fully paid - He paid the ransom for me."
Picture posted by Nick Fancher on 08 August 2019
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vRUomj-AcQIfaXGed0kuHOjbrueqJWVl1Jg5aXaAwjQtv3WfEkbGV_cK-7s0pCjySnpFHwxIEyKuVXTmkHl4O6dRH1Y_a1UODe64yHXFYqRaCQPLNLL5H6Dbxz7wOY8hFHaUIBwAhLJH5fCvLyYjMTlIHh-Jf3JFtxnRlIwB0gHUIzAwYYk-qhw4/s1500/214A9235.jpg
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50df1cc5e4b0a05702ac0622/1565039665791-F99KMNKQ1W32UXUXO9LX/214A9235.jpg?format=1000w
https://www.nickfancher.com/blog/tag/piss+christ


The cross of Christ reveals our sin at its worst and God's love at its best.

 The cross of Christ reveals our sin at its worst and God's love at its best.
PHOTO: The cross of Christ reveals our sin at its worst and God's love at its best.
Picture posted by Our Lady of Angels
Reflection - Paul Van Gorder - Those Who Passed By
Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 28, "Those Who Passed By", Page 34.
By Paul Van Gorder, Our Daily Bread Author



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Reference
[1] From "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Chapter 28, "Those Who Passed By", Page 34.


Links


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