Jesus’s death isn’t like any other death; it demands a response. In Luke’s account of Jesus’s death, we see potential responses. One group, the women of Jerusalem, wept over Jesus’s death. When Jesus saw their weeping, He redirected it. Jesus’s death isn’t a death to weep over; it is our sin that should be wept over. It isn’t enough for us to feel bad that Jesus died; rather, we must see and repent of our sin that caused His death. A second group, the religious leaders, mocked Jesus’s death. These people dismissed Jesus’s life and ministry. They convinced themselves that Jesus was a fraud, wondering why He could save others, but not Himself. His death became a stumbling block to them; they reasoned that the Messiah couldn’t die like this. We must guard against allowing His death to trip us up so we reject belief and salvation. A third person, the centurion, who watched what happened, believed and worshipped God. The centurion saw the darkness, heard about the curtain in the temple, and watched Jesus breathe His last. He concluded that Jesus is righteous and gave praise to God. He, like the thief, recognized something different about Jesus, and both accepted Jesus as King. This is the right response to Jesus’s death and the only way for us to be saved. Everyone who’s lived since Jesus died must decide how they will respond to Jesus, too. We must not only feel bad, mock and reject, but we must accept Jesus as King and trust His righteousness. The cross is a message of foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who believe it is the power and wisdom of God. In that power and wisdom, we find our salvation. –Pastor Rory
Sunday at Liberty
9AM: Bible Training Hour–The Spirits of this World: Demons
10AM: Pastor Rory–A Savior Who Dies–Luke 23:26-49 (sermon notes)
11:45AM: Potluck and Members’ Meeting
4PM: Kids’ Club
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