Were You There?

[This is from my colleague, Pastor Glen VanderKloot. Glen sends out a daily emailed inspiration to which you can subscribe. Information on how to do that can be found at the end of this post.]

Were you there?
Were you there when they crucified our Lord?
Yes, I was there and so were you.
We were there, but not as innocent bystanders.
We were there because Jesus was crucified for us.
If we had no sin, there would be no need for Jesus to die.
But there is sin in our lives.
And we know it!
Yet because of our sin, God looked at us with mercy.
Out of mercy and love God gave his only Son.
Jesus was crucified for us.
Jesus paid the debt that we could not pay.
Were you there when they crucified our Lord?
Yes - and when we think about it, it causes us to tremble.

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Yes, I was there and so were you.
We were there, but not as innocent bystanders.
Every one of our sins nailed Jesus to the cross.
Every bad thought we have ever had nailed Jesus to the cross.
Every bad word we have ever said nailed Jesus to the cross.
Every bad action we have ever taken nailed Jesus to the cross.
But that is not all
Every good thought we have failed to have nailed Jesus to the cross.
Every good word we have failed to say nailed Jesus to the cross.
Every good action that we have failed to take nailed Jesus to the cross.
Jesus bore this entire weight on his shoulders.
Jesus paid the debt that we could not pay.
Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?
Yes - and when we think about it, it causes us to tremble.

Were you there when they pierced Him in the side?
Yes, I was there and so were you.
We were there, but not as innocent bystanders.
Jesus was pierced by our every inappropriate thought.
Jesus was pierced by our every harsh word.
Jesus was pierced by our every unkind action.
His blood flowed to wash us clean.
His blood flowed to set us free.
Were you there when they pierced Him in the side?
Yes - and when we think about it, it causes us to tremble.

Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Yes, I was there and so were you.
We were there, but not as innocent bystanders.
For a while darkness had overtaken the world.
Too often we let the darkness over take our lives.
Too often we let the darkness extinguish our hope.
Too often we let the darkness rule.
But the sun did shine again.
At the cross the Son of God has overcome the darkness.
At the cross we have seen the light.
At the cross the burdens of our hearts are rolled away.
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Yes - and when we think about it, it causes us to tremble.

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Yes, I was there and so were you.
We were there, but not as innocent bystanders.
Jesus accepted our punishment.
Jesus paid the debt that we could not pay.
Jesus died in our place.
Jesus died so that we could be forgiven
Jesus died so that we could live.
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?
Yes - and when we think about it, it causes us to tremble.

But
We will also be there at the empty tomb Easter morning.
We will be there as the light shines bright.
We will be there to celebrate our new life.
We will be there to celebrate our freedom.
We will no longer tremble.
Instead we will bend our knee in adoration.
And with our tongues confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Amen

Glen VanderKloot

[If you would like to subscribe to Glen's daily inspirations, email him at olwf1@gliq.net and put SUBSCRIBE on the subject line. That's all there is to it.]