Looking Unto the Cross..... A devotional for the 2nd Sunday of LENT Sunday, March 19

Thirteen years ago I was eagerly awaiting the birth of my second child while preparing for the first birthday of my first child. Being an engineer, I had decided that what would be best was another son. The due date came and went. My son's birthday came and went. I started looking for ways to hurry this birth along. My doctor even agreed to induce if the baby didn't come soon. Finally on March 19, my daughter was born. Initially I was disappointed - I had waited all this time for a girl? But God, I wanted another boy. The Jews of Jesus' time were anxiously looking for a Messiah. They were joyfully anticipating a deliverer from the Romans. They had decided that the best thing for their situation was an earthly king. First the birth of Jesus deceived many for a baby was not a deliverer. But then Jesus rode into Jerusalem with shouts of joy. Maybe this Jesus is the deliverer from the Romans after all. But when Jesus turned out to be a spiritual savior, their response was, "Crucify him!" Just like my desire for a son was not wrong, the Jews' desire for deliverance from the Romans was also not wrong. However putting my desires above God's best is not only wrong, it is foolish. God's best for me was my lovely red headed daughter. God's best for the world is His son Jesus. An earthly king would have been a temporary solution to the Jews' problem as they had had great kings before. Jesus is a permanent solution to the bondage of sin. So how does this relate to the theme, "Looking Unto The Cross"? Jesus was also human; He too had desires for His life. He certainly did not want to face the cross. He prayed in the garden asking for deliverance from this fate. But Jesus was willing to be God's best. Sometimes it is easy to see God's best as best. At other times God's best is a cross - something painful. Then it is not so easy to accept God's best. But in all things God's best is better than my desires. Alisa Stoll Columbus/Westerville Ohio USA Prayer: Thank you God, for everything in my life, both the good and the bad. Thank you for providing the good things in life like my daughter and bringing me safely through the bad. Thank you for the growth I experience when going through the bad. You are a wonderful God and Savior. Amen. Suggested Daily Scripture Reading [Psalms 24, 29] [Gen. 41:14-45] [Rom. 6:3-14] [John 5:19-24] Visit: 1999 Advent/Christmas Series Epiphany Series You may send e-mail comments or suggestions toYvonne Edwards. Edited: Mar. 17, 10:10 p.m. Page designed by: Cecil Wallace Prayer by: Alisa Stoll The background set is provided by Web Art by Sharon Copyright © 2000 NazNet All rights reserved. International copyright secured.