Good Friday

Rembrandt's painting, The Three Crosses came to my attention today. Some critics say that Rembrandt painted himself into the shadows of the painting, saying that his own sin helped nail Christ to the cross.

"It is a simple thing to say that Christ died for the sins of the world. It is quite another thing to say that Christ died for my sins...It is a shocking thought that we can be as indifferent as Pilate, as scheming as Caiaphas, as callous as the soldiers, as ruthless as the mob, or as cowardly as the disciples. It wasn't just what they did-it was I who nailed Him to the tree." (Our Daily Bread April 10, 2009)

How sad, shocking and true. But I can remember the words Christ uttered on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34 NIV) I can go to the cross for forgiveness and reconciliation, repent (turn around) and have a fuller relationship with my Savior.

Reading His word daily so that the Holy Spirit can convict me of my sin and bring me to repentance is one way I commit to working on that relationship. Living out His message of loving my neighbor is another way.

How are you developing that relationship on a daily basis?