Tree of Shame

He who hung the earth [in its place] hangs there,
He who fixed the heavens is fixed there,
He who made all things fast is made fast upon the tree,
The Master has been insulted,
God has been murdered, 
The King of Israel has been slain by an Israelitish hand.
O strange murder
Strange crime!
The Master has been treated in unseemly fashion,
His body naked,
Not even deemed worthy of a covering,
That [His nakedness] might not be seen.
Therefore the lights of the heaven turned away, 
And the day darkened,
That it might hide Him who was stripped upon the cross.

Melito's Homily on the Passion 
Martin Hengel, Crucifixion (Fortress Press, 1977 (English Translation)) p 21

Jesus Christ, “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him that name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ” (Philippians 2: 5-11 emphasis added)

“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, GOD IS NOW DECLARING to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man who He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”(Acts 17: 30-31 emphasis added)

Jesus Christ is both the Savior of the world who died on the tree of shame for you and me and He is also coming again as the Judge of all mankind. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess He is Lord.

For most it will be too late. The ‘bill’ for their sins will have come due and payment is required, eternity in the lake of fire.

For others it will be the most joyous day of their lives when He comes because they have placed their faith in what Jesus did for them on this tree of shame where He paid for their sins with His precious blood.

Do you want to pay for your sins for eternity in the lake of fire or repent* and put your trust in His work of atonement for you and accept that He has already paid for your sins? Do it today if you have not already!

Even so…Come Lord Jesus!

Carl

*Repent is to change your mind about how you’re living with corresponding change in behavior.