"Tion"-ful of Promises

As He said:                 “everything that is written about the Son of Man

                                      by the prophets will be accomplished.”

As He promised:         “For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be 

                                      mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon.”

Jesus had evaded murderous crowds before, He could have done it again.

Not this time.

A promise awaited.

But this…this He endured for far more than promise.

The cross,

   here Jesus bore all the amassed sin of man;

      here unmitigated wrath of Holy God was poured out;

         here judgment was exacted upon the guiltless Son of God.

             Just as God promised.

We would never come near Easter but by the Cross.

And we would never know personal holiness but by the Crucifixion of God’s Christ, Jesus.

I tread ever so lightly here, the holy ground of the Cross. . .

Before the Cross, God gave all these precious promises.

   Through the Cross, they all became as priceless gems.

      And Jesus, our Crucified Savior, the golden thread that strings them together.

Without Jesus they are these beautiful gems to behold. But in Him, the central cord of covenant, they are strung together that they might adorn our eternal lives after baptism.

And what are these gems? All the “tions” promised to the children of God in Christ:

Salvation

Propitiation

Redemption

Reconciliation

Justification

Sanctification

Adoption

Resurrection

Gems all.

Promised blessed gifts of grace given. But it is Jesus that has made them reality. Accomplished at His cry; “It is finished!”

It is much to ponder, yes?

The crucifixion was fully known to Jesus, but it was still His choice, His will, and His resolve to suffer it. In complete trust, obedience, and love of the Father He fulfilled the prophecy that we might live lives abundantly full of promise.

My Lord and Savior; Your crucifixion was our only hope—and for that I am truly and deeply sorrowful. Your blood shed on the Cross has wrought perfect atonement for all mankind. Words cannot express such gratitude. And all the beautiful “tions” you bought and bound together that I might wear such costly jewels are too wonderful to imagine. But worthy of highest praise. Make my life worship for such love and sacrifice.