2 Samuel 6-8 | Luke 15:1-10

“When they had crucified Him, they divided up His clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.” Matthew 27:35-36

Crucifixion is a slow way to die; it is actually meant to prolong the suffering of the person. As the day went on, the soldiers became restless and decided to pass the time with some gambling. At the foot of the cross where the Saviour laid down His life for humanity, they cast lots for His clothing. Ignorant of what was actually happening around them, they played their games and made bets to see who would come across as the big winner. The intoxicating feeling of playing the odds and hitting the big payday took over. The thrill and excitement of the dopamine rush as the odds got higher and higher, unaware of where it was taking them. They were caught up with the rush of the moment, never quite realizing that the very Person they were gambling for the clothes of was the One who permitted them to take the next breath. He was the very One who created them, who brought them to the foot of the cross, that they might look up and see another path for life, one that did not need its addiction to get through a day.  

Are we holding onto something that we believe will give us life and pleasure but only leads us down a path of death and destruction? One of the dominant themes throughout the Gospel of Matthew is “God is with you.” We do not have to go through this life carrying all kinds of stress, worry and anxiety. God is with us and He is for us. He is for us so much that He even clothed Himself with humanity, subjecting Himself to suffering and humiliation, and ultimately, going to the cross. Why? So that we could be reconciled to Himself.

When Jesus took His last breath, “the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely He was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54). Although the centurion did not realize it at first, he, in the end, did acknowledge who Jesus Christ was.

From this scene, one thing is for certain: there is no sin, there is no distance that we have travelled away from God, there is no heinous crime that we have committed that cannot be forgiven by the blood of Christ. If we feel like we are unworthy of forgiveness, yes, that is true. We are saved by grace, not because of anything we did, but because of who He is and what He did for us. May we receive Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of our lives. 

PRAYER

Precious Jesus, I am unworthy of Your forgiveness and Your gift of life. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I receive You as the Lord and Saviour of my life.