Matthew 27:38-40 (NIV) Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”

In a few days, we will celebrate Easter, known to followers of Christ as Resurrection Sunday. It is the greatest celebration that we as believers celebrate because it is the pinnacle of God's salvation plan. It is unfathomable that God, who created everything and every human being, allowed His created beings to arrest, beat, mock, insult and crucify Him. It is unthinkable that He did that to bear the sin of the entire world on Himself so that we could be forgiven and set free from death and the grave. That is a love that can't be understood fully. It goes beyond our comprehension.

What's ironic about the passage of scripture above, is that the people who passed by this crucifixion scene challenged Jesus to come down off the cross if He was really the Son of God. They threw His own words back at Him about destroying the temple and building it back up in three days. What would have happened if Jesus had taken them up on it? After all, He was indeed the Son of God and He could have come off the cross (Matthew 26:53). But He didn't, and thank God that He didn't! While it would have proven to everyone there and for all time who He was, it would have been a revelation that would have ended in disaster for mankind. Thank the Lord that He didn't choose to prove Himself. There would not have been a hope in the world for anyone if He had. We all would have been doomed to death and eternal punishment. Little did those wicked people hurling insults at the King of kings know that if Jesus would have done what they were taunting Him to do, their eternal damnation would have been sealed.

Jesus stayed on the cross with many doubting His Lordship over all the earth because of His great love for us. This Resurrection Sunday, and every day for the rest of your life, celebrate the One who gave His life as a ransom for many, and thank Him for revealing Himself to you so that you can be saved, sanctified and justified to enjoy a resurrected life! Praise be to our awesome and merciful Lord and Savior, who waited to prove Himself by resurrecting and coming out of the tomb, thereby defeating death and the grave for all who would receive Him as Lord and Savior! A very blessed and happy Resurrection Sunday to everyone!

Pastor Joey Vazquez