Burning Question:
It’s National Gardening Day! What was your best gardening success story?
Morning Devotional:
Yesterday was a work day at my house. I had a number of things I needed to do, one of which was to clean the garage.
I finished the job but not without some war wounds along the way. I stubbed my toe on a cabinet. I poked myself in the leg with a box cutter. By the end of the job, I was writhing in pain from a massive backache. Every time I turned or twisted my body, this shooting pain would run down my leg. I have a high pain tolerance so the wounds weren’t unbearable, but they were just there, painful and annoying.
Late last night as I was getting ready for bed, I started thinking about Holy Week. And it hit me – the aches and pains I was experiencing were microscopic in comparison to the physical agony Jesus endured on the cross. My discomfort was limited and localized. He endured a full-on assault.
Imagine the sheer brutality of Jesus’ crucifixion. Those Roman soldiers didn’t just tap in a few nails in his hands. They were driving them through flesh and bone. Think about the damage to His body. And then consider that the weight of his own body was pulling on those wounds, making every breath He took a struggle. I was a little uncomfortable yesterday; his suffering was a fight for survival with every agonizing moment.
What made Jesus’ crucifixion even worse? Mark’s gospel records Jesus saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Beyond the physical torment, Jesus felt this profound sense of abandonment. His suffering was of body and spirit.
I still have some lingering back pain from yesterday, but it is serving as a tiny reminder of the immense sacrifice Jesus made for me and for you. I find myself grateful for the incredible love that led our Lord to the cross.
– Beth
Bible Quiz:
Question: What two men in the Bible never died?
Answer: Enoch and Elijah (Genesis 5:24, 2 Kings 2:11)
Storytime: Getting Beat in the Head by a Baby