What is Embedded in Your Heart?

Happy Friday!

I started reading the bible occasionally 5 years ago. We switched to a bible based church 3 years ago. Now, it has become a habit to read the bible every morning. It focuses my mind on what is really important and  gives me something to think about during the day. This morning, I opened up the betrayal of Jesus to how the soldiers mocked Jesus. I always cringe at the pain that Jesus endured for us.

I grew up going to a Catholic Church. Every Palm Sunday, we would be given palms and the whole church would wave the palms in the air and chant, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” This always bothered me that we chanted these words. Now, I understand the symbolism. Pilate is not responsible for crucifying Jesus. We are. Our sins brought him to that court. Pilate turns the judgement over to the people, and they chant, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” We were not there, yet it could be all of us.

It is uncomfortable reading it, thinking it, and writing it. I have to face that uncomfortable reality, to understand how much Jesus did for us. Through him being tortured and dying on the cross, he made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Three days later, he ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of our father.

This morning, I read “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.”

Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
–John 19:11 (NKJV)

God let Jesus be crucified, so our sins would be forgiven. The Old Testament predicts it. God planned for this to happen. God knew we would keep sinning, and he wanted to give us a way out. So, all we have to do it believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins, and we are healed and forgiven.

There is also a second part, “Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” He means Judas, the one who betrayed him, has a greater sin than the one who judges his trial. Wow. God sees what we do. God sees our hearts. God sees our intentions and actions.

In my own life, I consider this verse. God has a plan for all of us. Nobody has power over me unless it has been given from above. Sometimes, we are tested, so we can see how we hold up under pressure. It can be uncomfortable and stressful. How deeply are our virtues embedded in our hearts? Will they flee at the first sign of conflict or trouble? What is embedded in your heart?