Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World

Exodus 3:1-14
God met Moses in the burning bush. He gave Moses the work of leading His chosen people out of bondage. When Moses asked who shall I say sent me, God answered, "tell them 'I Am Who I Am'. I Am has sent you". God, self contained, needing nothing to exist, proclaimed to Moses the He is the only true God. Now look in John. John stated that the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was, in the beginning, with Him. Further, John states, "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." Jesus, our Savior, our redeemer, is clearly revealed as the very God, the I am.
Caiaphas, the high priest, when Jesus made his way to Jerusalem held power within the nation. Earthly power. He reasoned that Jesus was a threat to his power, and the power of the establishment of his day. He didn't realize that he was merely an instrument of God's to accomplish His will.
Jesus, on the night before his death, met and was questioned by Caiaphas. Caiaphas asked Jesus if he was the son of God. Jesus answered, "Yes, I am".
Blind to the truth. Blind to our Savior. Blind to their own peril. Caiaphas and the rulers condemned our Savoir.
But, the plan of God was not stopped. Indeed. It was completed! Our Savoir died on the cross. Bled for us. Suffered unimaginable pain. The pain of our sins born in his body. The perfect sacrifice. His love held him there. His love for us.
Now, today, do we play the same role as Caiaphas? Are we the righteous? Do we, through our own "rules" condemn our Savoir? Do we condemn those who don't measure up to our standards of righteousness? Of being a Christian?
But the end is beautiful. Jesus, our lord. Rose from the grave. He breathed again. He lives! Today and forever. He stands before God this very moment interceding for us. We are forgiven. We are free from the curse of death through his blood. We are redeemed by his love. We are forgiven of our sins. We, through no works, actions, gifts, or anything that we have done, are his. Praise Jesus! Our Savoir, our redeemer, our brother, our one true love.
David and Maryann Thompson