Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Friday, April 10, 2020

Jesus said, "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw all men to myself."¹

"In their cruel march through Cambodia to destroy much of its infrastructure, the Khmer Rouge enslaved, killed, or otherwise caused the deaths of millions of Cambodians. When they reached one village, they forced everyone out of their huts and lined them up to dig a deep pit. The villagers realized they were digging their own mass grave. Anyone who tried to run or hide was shot on sight and dragged to the edge of the pit that was being dug. When the pit was finally finished, the soldiers ordered the people to turn and face the pit. As the people stood, helplessly awaiting their execution, they began to cry out in some desperate plea for help. Some screamed to Buddha, some to ancestors, to demon spirits, and some even for their mothers.

"Then one woman, drawing on the distant memory of something her mother told her, began to cry out to one she called 'the God who hung on the cross.' Surely this one who had suffered so himself might have compassion on those about to die. Soon, the screams around her became just one desperate wailâ€"crying out to the God who hung on the cross. And then there was silence. As the people slowly turned, they realized the soldiers were gone. And ever since that day, they were, as the book says, 'waiting for someone to come and tell them more. More about the God who hung on the cross.'"²

It was September of 1999 when a Cambodian pastor came to tell these people about Jesus and learned this story from an older woman who grabbed his hands and said, "We've been waiting for you for twenty years."

It was Jesus Christ's death on the cross that paid the ransom price for your sins and mine. Only through him can we ever come to God and be freely forgiven and given the gift of eternal life. If you have never done this, be sure to click on the "God's Invitation" button link below, or on http://tinyurl.com/gods-invitation, to find out how to do this.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough for the cross of Christ,  and for Jesus Christ who gave his life in my place so I could be freely forgiven and receive your gift of eternal life. Grant that my life and the way that I live it will be a thanksgiving offering to you for all that you have done for me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
 

1. John 12:32 (NIV).
2. From the book, The God Who Hung on the Cross, by Doris I. Rosser Jr. & Ellen Vaughn as told by Ron Hutchcraft. http://www.hutchcraft.com/

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