Anyone Hung on A Tree (March 19)

You must  not leave his body on the tree overnight.  Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse.  You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.
                    Deuteronomy 21:22 NIV

Anyone hung on a tree is under God's curse.  Jesus was hung on a tree, the cross on Good Friday.  Paul does a nice job of explaining how this curse applies to Jesus' crucifixion in Galatians 3:13 NIV...

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

Consider Jesus' feelings on the cross that led Him to say:

"Dear woman here is your son"
"Here is your mother"
"I am thirsty"
"It is finished"
"Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing."
"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani"..."My God, My God why have you forsaken me?"

One can see feelings of; concern for identification by his mother; concern for a parent with a desire for continued care for a mother; bodily discomfort; want to complete God's plan; Concern for all of humanity, with knowledge of God's anger being taken out on him on the cross; a deep sense of separation from His Father, God.

Consider the flow of precious blood, water, sorrow and love given by Jesus then and His continued care and concern for us.  Think of God's abundant grace we currently live under.

It is quite a juxtaposition of contrast: Jesus on the cross and Easter.  It is by God's grace through faith that we see and have forgiveness of sin with eternal salvation.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those he predestined, he also called, he also justified; those he justified he also glorified.
                                Romans 8: 28-30 NIV

Who should you be telling about God's salvation for us through Jesus Christ?  Why are you not telling them about heaven, eternal life, forgiveness of sin, blessing of the spirit, and joy?

Pray for those who are ill, recovering or those undergoing or recovering from surgery.

In Christ,

David P