Tues.’s Devo - Jesus’ Crucifixion

Read: Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 9:7-8 Moses called for all the craftsmen, architects, seamstresses, apothecaries, jewelers and builders to come help make the elements for the Tabernacle. People gave freely of everything they had to make the Tabernacle and the clothing for the priests. 
 *** God chose Bezalel from the tribe of Judah and filled him with the Spirit of God and gave him great wisdom and ability and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He also chose Ohliab of the tribe of Dan and gave them both the ability to teach others their skills. *** The people gave more than enough to complete the task. They began with the curtains the would enclose the area and build the tent. God showed Bezalel and Ohliab how to hang them on poles and secure them with hooks. *** In Matthew, they led Jesus from the governor’s court to be crucified. On the way they grabbed Simon, a man from Cyrene, and made him carry Jesus’ cross. I wonder what Simon was thinking as he walked with Jesus who was beat beyond recognition, stumbling and bleeding. They came to Golgotha which was the Place of a Skull where they crucified Jesus. They tried to give him sour wine as a pain killer but Jesus refused to lessen his pain. They divided his garments and cast lots for his clothing just as Psalm 22 said. *** They put the sign THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. The people blasphemed him and mocked him. *** At noon the sky went totally dark for three hours. At the end of the darkness, Jesus cried out and quoted the first line of Psalm 22. He was referring them to this song because it was being fulfilled before their very eyes. The people thought he was calling for Elijah. Jesus then gave up his spirit and died. The veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom and the earth quaked and the rocks were split. The graves were opened and many bodies were raised out of their graves after Jesus was raised. They went into Jerusalem and appeared to many. *** The centurion and those guarding Jesus saw all these things happening and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” *** Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man. He gave his grave for Jesus to use. He took Jesus’ body and laid it in the tomb and rolled a large stone over the opening. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw where they laid him. *** The next day was the Day of Preparation and the chief priest and the Pharisees met and discussed Jesus claim to rise from the grave on the third day so they sealed the stone and set guards so none of Jesus’ disciples could steal his body and say he rose from the dead. *** It is humorous how human beings thought they could stop Jesus from anything. He had proven he had supernatural powers but their hearts were so hardened they couldn’t see. *** Lord may we use our talents for You for you are the source of any good thing about us. May we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to You and your purposes.