"The Announcement"

 "And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS." (John 19:19 KJV) 

  "The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the LORD. He rules all the nations." (Psalm 22:27-28 NLT)

 There is something important about the sign that Pilate placed upon the cross: It was intended for the whole world to read and understand what it said! We cannot imagine the power that was on display, that one Man should die for the sins of the whole entire world! That should tell you something: He was note just a Man, He was God! 

 We have had this discussion before, because the whole reason that God, and He alone, was the perfect sacrifice, is because only God is perfect and without any sin! No blemish, no imperfections, nothing to cause Him not to be the perfect sacrifice, to completely satisfy the removal of sin, from the entire world! 

 How amazing is that? We look at the world and wonder, why there is still evil, sinfulness, and wars? But in this current world, not everyone has or will accept God's free offer of salvation. Although the sins of the entire world were paid for, the entire world has not asked for forgiveness! 

 You can see this proven by the two thieves that were crucified along with Jesus; one refused to ask for forgiveness, the other refused to not ask for forgiveness! Big difference! With one, there is the heart of stone, which in spite of certain death, there is no thought or concern to be made right with God, as that would be against their nature. I know it sounds stupid, but stupid people do stupid things! 

 On the other hand, the one that sees a great need to be forgiven, will not ignore that invitation; it will be as important as the air they breathe, even if the ability to breathe doesn't come easy, with their dying breath they will cry out, "Save me, LORD!" Remember that, because it will count...

 "This is what the LORD says - Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD of Heaven's Armies: "I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. Who is like me? Let him step forward and prove to you his power. Let him do as I have done since ancient times when I established a people and explained its future. Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses - is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock - not one!"" (Isaiah 44:6-8 NLT)