I've always wondered what it would have been like to be present at Jesus' crucifixion.    I wondered if I would have joined the disciples and disappeared.  Or would I be like the only disciple, John, who stayed to witness Jesus death.

I was fortunate to be granted the opportunity to see Jesus being crucified.  However, having been a participant in the Easter Musical, I became, at times, a little complacent about Jesus' crucifixion.  It became a matter of rehearsal and the actor playing Jesus was a friend.  However, one practice, I was struck with the reality of Jesus' compassion and love, how He died for me.  

I walked onto stage and Jesus was on the cross.  I looked up and just at that time, Jesus was looking down at me.  I forgot that this man was an actor and my friend.  I felt transported to the time that Jesus' was actually on the cross.  I felt so overwhelmed.  Jesus was looking at me and I was the only person there even though the stage and the audience was filled with people.  

It was Jesus and me.

Nevertheless, I  was overwhelmed by two competing emotions:  1) I felt ashamed at my sin, and 2) I felt pure love.  I felt no condemnation.  A flood of tears came to my eyes and at that night's performance, I didn't have to pretend to cry.  My complacency vanished.


My tears were real.  

Jesus was real.  

My sin was real.  

The love I felt was real.

The forgiveness Jesus offered was real.


Salvation is real.


BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.