Not a Victim

Not a Victim

Not a Victim

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know —this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”  Acts 2:22-23 Peter stood before the crowds of people gathered at the temple and he began to preach. It was only 50 days earlier that Jesus of Nazareth had been put to death on a hill overlooking the temple courts. The gospels confirm Jesus suffered terribly at the hands of His accusers. He was: Falsely arrested by the Jewish leaders. Flogged with whips made from sharp bones and pieces of metal. Forced to carry His own cross. Nailed to a cross, gasping and struggling for every breath for six long hours. In every way, it was a painful, humiliating death. But Peter proclaimed this message loud and clear: Jesus was not a victim. His harrowing experience on the cross was part of a divineplan. Every nail, every stripe on His back was “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.” You see, Jesus wasn’t taken to the cross. Jesus wentto the cross — willingly, lovingly, obediently. It was through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus that God provided salvation for His people. Sometimes it’s easy for the message of Easter to be overshadowed by baskets of candy and colored eggs. But I pray you’ll consider Peter’s words. Jesus was perfectly obedient to God’s will and God’s plan. He suffered and died for us, and then He rose again to give us the hope of eternal life. May you come to know and celebrate the risen Savior!