At Siloam, there was a sense of wonder.
A man born blind recovered his sight.
But of what importance is this, when there are so many blind people in
the world? Lazarus rose from the dead,
but even this only affected Lazarus.
What of those countless number who have died because of their sins? Those five miraculous loaves fed five
thousand people. Yet this is a small
number compared to those all over the world who were starved by ignorance. After eighteen years a woman was freed from
the bondage of Satan. But are we not all
shackled by the chains of our own sins?
For us all,
however, the cross is the crown of victory!
It has brought light to those blinded by ignorance. It has released those enslaved by sin. Indeed, it has redeemed the whole of
mankind! For it was not a mere man who
died for us, but the Son of God, God made man.
He was not killed
by violence, he was not forced to give up his life. His was a willing sacrifice! He willingly submitted to his own
passion. He took joy in his achievement;
in this crown of victory he was glad, and in the salvation of man he
rejoiced. He did not blush at the cross
for by it he was to save the world. No,
it was not a lowly man who suffered but God incarnate.
Certainly in times
of tranquility the cross should give you joy.
But maintain the same faith in times of persecution. Otherwise you will be a friend of Jesus in
times of peace and his enemy during war.
Now you receive the forgiveness of your sins and the generous gift of
grace from your king. When war comes,
fight courageously for him.
Jesus never sinned; yet he was crucified for you. Will you refuse to be crucified for him, who
for your sake was nailed to the cross?
You are not the one who gives the favor; you have received one
first. For your sake he was crucified on
Golgotha. Now you are returning his
favor; you are fulfilling your debt to him.
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