Today I started the latest devotional from Illustrated Faith. Its called “Where I Stand.” Its about Mary Magdalene point of view at certain parts during the time of Jesus’ death. Today was called “from where I stand at the cross.” Todays devotional part was taking about the cross and the time of it. We read different scriptures like John 19, Luke 23:26-49, and Matthew 27:32-56. The action for today was putting yourself in the place of Mary when Jesus was nailed to the cross. It asked different things like what is she seeing toward Jesus, toward the sky, and toward the crowd. What is she hearing from these different spots. And what is she smelling from different spots. I thought this was interesting. For me, I’ve always seen the cross as freedom. You can see that in the page I did today. That is all that would go through my head for a title for todays devotional entry. But I did put myself in Mary’s shoes. When I looked at the Jesus on the cross, I saw death, freedom, and a savior. When I listened to the crowd, I could hear the yelling “crucify Him”, “if He was really the Son of Man then sure He’d save Himself,” and I could hear them insulting Jesus and mocking Him and laughing like its a joke. When I smelled the air around, I could smell the smell of a gentle sea breeze. Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes can be difficult because we truly don’t know what they were thinking, what they saw, or what they smelled at a certain time. We can only make our best guess based on our judgements and what we have read or been told. The cross is freedom. The cross set me free. Jesus set me free. Because I believe in Jesus and God, I know that Jesus died on the cross to raise again to life 3 days later. I know Jesus died for me and for my sin. But not just me and mine but you and yours. Jesus, who lived a perfect life, was crucified the way people who stole and killed did. Nailed to the cross with nails in both His hands and through His feet with a crown of thorns on His head. Why? Why would He do this for me? Why would He do this for you? It’s because love. He loves me and He loves you. Jesus always knew His purpose here. He had you and I in mind when He died too. He loves us so much that He gave up His life for us. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is. Jesus is love. He always has been and He always will be. He showed love to everyone He encountered. You are loved. Hold onto hope and stay strong. Madison Rae <3
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