Crucifixion, from the Buhl Altarpiece, a particularly large Gothic oil on panel painting from the 1490s.
The Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20.
It is as good as certain that the majority of readers will not be unacquainted with the account of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. Sentenced to an agonizing death though innocent, He was led out of the city of Jerusalem and nailed to a cross. There He was exposed to the derision of the spectators and passers-by for three hours. After that total darkness descended for three hours. During this time He endured God’s judgment of sin. In silence He submitted to the dreadful suffering involved. Then He yielded up His life and accomplished the work of redemption.
Why did the Son of God bear all that torment? Why did He die, although sinless Himself? Because He loves you and does not want you to be punished by God for your sins. He readily sacrificed His life for you, so that you need not be lost eternally. He did it out of love for you in order to save you. How do you stand with regard to His love? Are you prepared to open your heart to Him and believe in Him? Or do you remain indifferent to His love?
The Saviour is waiting for you, waiting for you to respond to His love. Today He is knocking on the door of your heart. He shows you to what ends He went for you, so that you put your trust in Him. Think of this: so long as you do not claim His work of salvation for you yourself personally, it will avail you nothing. You benefit from it only if you believe that it was all to cancel your guilt.
Image: By © Ralph Hammann – Wikimedia Commons – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40873132