Most Americans live not in the world of horror in our world today, though we do see horrific events at times or experience them ourselves, it often not common place unless you live in areas of gangs and violence is in the streets and where it is common place. The event of crucifixion was not uncommon or even violence and death to the land of Israel. War had ravaged the land and cities for thousands of years, and even if at peace, there were always uprisings. Though the events of the cross is gruesome, the events of the cross was more common place then we like to think, with Christ ministrying in the open fields and in the temple regularly and traveling around the countryside. Yet it probably no worse in some ways then any large city or region.

Common place of the cross, we like to think not, a spectacle of cruelty, like the old westerns hangings in the city street by the executioner. Yet more common then one would think. As the crowd grew from the woman following from the palace to Mount Calvary, to those passing that way, to the scribes and priest, and let not forget the disciples of Jesus that went to see Christ death. A spectacle of innocent man dying because of the sin of the priesthood, and the sins of the world. Was it not the crowd that finally got him crucified. The priesthood asked for it, but the crowd intensified the need to crucify. Yet that same priesthood who ask for him to be crucified was also in a hurry to get him off the cross because of the Sabbath. Yet for the moment they seen a way to rid the land of Jesus. As the events unfolded around the cross there were those that passed by mocking Jesus only to later smote their very breast, as the sky darkened and the earthquake happened, and the veil ripped. The crowd the unlookers to the event they understood not. Those needing the show for whatever reason, as spectators to an event. Yet when the events unfolded they were shaken by this must be the Son of God.

Mary the mother of Jesus and the other women, her friends and advisors I suspect through out Jesus career as minister and maybe even as Jesus was growing up. Not all for Mary Magdelene was said to be a harlot and one Jesus casted seven demons out of. Yet despite all this the women of faith followed the men and Christ to Mount Calvary. They stood back for a time, until the work was finished at the cross and then prehaps then drew near to hear anything Christ might say. He had already spoke once to them. He told them not to weep for him but for themselves and the offsprings of faith. Yet as Jesus was on the cross he spoke to his disciple John and to his mother Mary. Giving them to each other as Mother and Son much like a wedding vow of sacred status. A reverent act of discourse to make sure his mother was will taken care of and the needs of his beloved disciple would have someone to care for him as well. Christ is rising, but he also would be ascending, and no longer taking care of his mother physically in the since of human contact, though he would be caring for her as Christ cares even now for the children of God.

There is all kinds of spectators at the cross, but when the events unfolded that were not regular crucifixion events one had to wonder did they just kill an innocent man. Over fifteen years ago a man went to the electric chair for the crime of murder in the state of Virginia. When the man went to the chair the first electricution failed and when it failed the question came should they fry him again? After the study of the law that night, they finished the man execution. Yet it left question no doubt in some that heard it, did they kill an innocent man. Rumors in a small area, would flourish with activity over the events from charges to death. Some even going on the news to declare the man's innocent to protect themselves.

Yet we ask did God that day show his anger, no because he did not bring his wrath on the people, but forgave them for what they did. Earthquake shining example of how bad of a storm he could of caused at the death of his Son. How much anger he could spewed from chaos without lights, or the ripping in the temple veil that separated us from God, yet he did not. Christ came to die for our sin, to be the ultimate sacrifice of sin that separated man from God. The sin of Adam when he disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit in the garden. To the sin of mankind since that day and beyond the cross. All man had to do was repent. Man that day repented at the cross, repented of their words, and their action, and yet we fail to understand as they beat upon their breast, they would carry what they seen through the highways and by ways of life not knowing of the resurrection in some cases and others would see for themselves some time later, even with in the forty days for the final ascension into heaven by Christ. The sin that separates us from God is our own disobedience to His word. Others walked away just pondering the events not fully seeing.

Yes the separation from God has to do with disobedience to him and the law of the land. The law of land mimics God's law of faith, hope and love, but it bears not on our disobedience to God, unless it tells us not to worship, or defend his house, defend our right to worship even in times like Cov-19. The events of the past year will be echoed for centuries of how America dealt with the pandemic in our churches, from obedience to the law of man to the obedience to God, to obedience to the constitution in which brave men and women fought for. Each church with their own history of if they obeyed both the law and God at the same time, Or did only one form of obedience to God and/or the law of man, and officials of every state in the united States of America. No doubt churches around the world have been dealing with these same issues. Thank God for the cross of Jesus, because those who failed the test and to those that stood on the principals of God, whether they remained in their church or found ways to minister to their church outside their normal preception of ministry all need time of repentance.

God bless America, may truth be said, and may the churches bow in humility whether right or wrong, for God sovereign even with vaccines and not the miracle of miracles of our land being free from a virus that plagues us. Let us serve God and country in regards to the memory of not fear, but faith in our hearts. True worshippers worship in spirit and in truth. The church doors shut in many areas because of snow and ice. Let us not be forgetful that when the antichrist comes he will want to do more then just shut the church but to kill the church.

Dear Heavenly Father, let us remember our position in Christ because of the cross, but not only our position but our call to worship you no matter where we are in the struggle of church and non church. That our call to worship you and to repent of sin, it is that call you have to the world that knows not you. That you paid the price for our sins through your Son Jesus. That our sins are forgotten when we repent and turn solely to you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Acts 2:36-41 KJV
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.