From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”, Jesus’ neighbors yelled. Jesus walked among friend and foe alike. He prayed for people, fed them loaves and fishes, healed the sick, made the lame walk, cast out demons and raised the dead. He was a real thug and criminal that deserved the hatred spewing from that crowd so long ago… yeah, right!

What Jesus taught came against the legalistic, ceremonial and ritualistic guidance that God had indeed given, but which man had perverted for his own power and profit. What wonderful timing on God’s part to come as one of us in order to bring us His restoration plan. The religious leaders of the day were planning His death, not the local populace that Jesus had touched and taught this “new and living” way. A new and living way by which any human could now ask the Spirit of God to come inside, bringing a new nature, a new way of thinking, feeling and being.

The religious zealots hated the thought of what Jesus was telling the people. He said that now, through His death, He would take our place for the capital punishment due for our sins. Each person then could have a direct relationship with God who would lead them in the way in which they should go. There was no more need for the priests, the temple, or the old laws of sacrifice, for it was all now fulfilled in Jesus. The priests and religious saw the unemployment line! This new way meant the loss of their power and social status and they hated Jesus for that. While seeking their treasures, they trampled on the truth!

“Well, I wouldn’t cry out to crucify Jesus”, you say. Think again—do you call for His crucifixion in another way in today’s modern era? Have you pushed Him aside with the secular outlook that permeates our society today? Do you push Him aside as you lie on your income tax report, or falsify a business record or a request for government assistance? Do you put Him to death when you choose the noisy busyness of the world over the quiet, holy fellowship of oneness with God and His Spirit flowing through you, leading to the better way? Do you call for the death of Jesus in you by basking in pride, dishonoring your spouse, giving in to the lusts of the flesh with reckless abandon? Are you full of excuses as to why your unholy actions are justified?

Hm—we all might want to think again—are we crucifying Jesus or are we crucifying our own nature so His nature can rise triumphant. Hopefully, you’re crucifying the right one! Endure the fire…it’s producing pure gold!

---