2016-Lent at JW2_Page_1

Scripture Reference: Matt. 27:45-56, Mk. 15:33-41, Jn. 19:28-30, Lk. 23:44-49

Monday Prayer: After being falsely tried, mocked, beaten and nailed to a cross, Jesus died. He died a criminal’s death, yet he wasn’t a criminal. There are some interesting events that transpired at the time of his death, the curtain in the temple was torn in two, darkness covered the land, there were earthquakes, tombs were opened, and the dead were raised. Time and space will not allow for us to go into every single detail of Christ’s death, so for today we will focus on the unity that was secured by Christ’s death. No longer would there be a division between Jew and Gentile. Paul, an early first century missionary, discusses this in his letter to the church in Ephesus:

“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh...were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:11-15).

The division between Jew and Gentile was torn to pieces. In fact, if we read through the rest of the pages of Scripture, we find phrases like “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ” (Gal. 3:28). We also read in Revelation 7:9-10 that “every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

What the cross did was break down barriers. Salvation is offered to all who believe, regardless of economics, race, social status or ethnicity. Pray this morning that we would be a people marked by the sufferings of Christ, heralding the good news of the Gospel to all. Also pray that we would repent of any of our own thoughts of superiority, looking to Jesus who made himself a laughing stock for the sake of all.