Put Off

Last night a man was put to death for killing an off duty police officer. The execution was set for 7:00pm but a last ditch effort was made on his behalf and the execution was put off but the word came a few hours later to proceed and at 11:08pm he was executed. Outside of Georgia’s Jackson state penitentiary there were over 500 protesters protesting his execution. Downtown Atlanta, during the day had more protestors waving signs and making statements. All were in hopes that this would not take place and they were doing all they could to stop it. As I thought about what was going on in downtown Atlanta at the capitol building as well at the Jackson state prison, my mind raced back to another place and time in history. A man had been taken captive punished and brought before the judicial system of his day. Nothing could be found that he had done to break the law and there was not a question that this man was innocent. But the people cry out for this man to be put to death. Now that is a much different picture than what was going on yesterday here in Georgia. 

Matthew 27:23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

Mark 15:14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, crucify him.

Luke 23:20  Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

Luke 23:21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

Luke 23:22 and he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

Instead of signs waving telling everyone how precious life was and how it was wrong to take another’s life, it was loud voices saying kill him. The strange thing about it all is that they got their wish and they watched an innocent man die; they thought. Little did they know that they had nothing to do with the death of Jesus. That was the real reason He came into this world was to lay down His life.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1John 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: 

Jesus came that you and I might have eternal life and without Him we can never have eternal life. There was that crowd that day watching the death of Christ Jesus; can’t you see them, can’t you hear them. Jesus cries with a loud voice and says “it is finished!” I can hear someone say “you got that right” thinking they would be through with this man Jesus. All seemed to be well until day break on Sunday morning and the news went flying around town “He’s risen indeed the tomb where He was laid is empty.” Today many are like those who walked away from Calvary’s Hill thinking they will never have to see or deal with this man Jesus. The real truth is Jesus is never going away and we will all have to face Him and confess Him as Lord. Now we can do it this side of the grave or we can wait; but may I remind you that waiting in this case is not good.

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Don’t put off until tomorrow what should be done today.