Stay Close To The Cross

Friday, April 3,2026

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-the knowledge of Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Fill my consciousness constantly and complete Your joy in me as I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse: Joshua 1:9

9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Verse of the day-Hebrews 12:2

2 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

 Today’s reading: Judges 19-21 Luke 7:31-50

Stay Close To The Cross

Today, what the world calls ‘Good Friday’, stay close to the cross. What do I mean by that?

I have thought many times of how Peter was the only disciple who did not run away after the arrest of Jesus but that is wrong. John, the disciple that Jesus loved(John 13:23;19:26;20:2;21:7;21:20), showed up with Mary, mother of Jesus, at the Cross.

In all that Christ Jesus went though that day, the beatings and humiliation and taking on Himself the weight of all the sins of the world, the scripture says this:

26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.(John 19:26-27)

In the middle of it all, Jesus was still acting in His deepest love for His mother and the ‘other’ disciple that did not run away.

It is hard for us to read the account of the crucifixion and not imagine being there, so, I’m asking you to really go there as much as you can.

John loved Jesus with all His heart and felt that love returned. Jesus gave John His mother to care for. No greater charge could be given to a friend, “Here is your mother”.

To His mother, Mary, Jesus said, ‘Here is your son.” Mary was losing her son in a horrible way but at the same time was gaining a son in divine love.

All the things Mary had stored up in her heart(Luke 2:19;2:51) have now become the sword that pierced her soul(Luke 2:35). Then, Jesus made her the son of John who took her into His home. John could have written the words, “He became flesh and dwelt among us...”(John1:14) while Mary sat at the very same table.

As you stay close to the cross today, and everyday, and ponder all the suffering of Christ Jesus, remember that suffering never lessened His capacity for His love.

His love took Him to the cross. His love for us and His love for His mother and His brother John was not hindered. The love of Christ Jesus could not be changed by the crucifixion. It was magnified and then glorified in the resurrection and inhabits us today in the Holy Spirit.

Tell God you want to imagine the scene at the cross and feel the love of Christ who hung there.

...because He loves you, He will do it…

Father in Heaven,

All glory belongs to You and Your kingdom. Give me desire to obey You as You are obeyed in Heaven. Forgive me for my lack of zeal. Lead me away from evil.

God of all love,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen