"Jesus Lifted Up"

 "Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst." (John 19:18 KJV)

  "But it was the LORD'S good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's good plan will prosper in his hands." When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels." (Isaiah 53:10-12 NLT)

 'Please don't worry about me!', is what I believe Jesus said to those He loved and cared about; in not those exact words, He had shown them, several times, what would happen, and that He would rise up again! To those that heard, He really didn't make much sense; they totally missed the connection between dying and then being raised from the grave. You would think that Him raising Lazaras would have given them some sort of clue, but they didn't really connect the dots. 

 As to these others, one on His right, the other on His left; both of them were thieves, being crucified beside Him. One would be saved, the other would not! Sadly, both had the same opportunity handed to them, but only one could see his need to call out for salvation! This is pretty much the way it goes; two people can hear the exact same message; one might actually listen, while the other cannot hear what is actually being said. It's all about the heart! 

 Must people think we have more ability to understand with our minds; as if what you think is more important than what you feel in your heart, whether it is compassion or hatred, your mind will overrule your heart. Sad to say, if that is the case you make, it is only in our mind; but your heart will master your thoughts, especially when there is passion and desire! 

 We can debate what is what, but God has the final word; according to God, the heart is what moves us and makes us what we are; no matter how hard you try to change it, or think you can make it right, you will always be led by how you feel, not by what you think. 

 Enough about that, because there will always be disagreements and arguments over that, regardless of what the Bible might say! As soon as you try and make a point, someone will exclaim, "Scripture and verse; show me where it says that!" EVERYWHERE! Just saying...

"Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, "With the LORD'S help, I have produced a man! Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. Abel also brought a gift - the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. "Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked Cain. "Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master." One day Cain suggested to his brother, "Let's go out into the fields." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him." (Genesis 4:1-8 NLT)