So when excuses were given to Jesus when the invitation to follow Him was clearly given, He saw through them. And yes, He sees through all of ours as well. Wearing a cross is much easier than bearing one but the latter is what Jesus has called us to do.

The Word of God gives numerous accounts of persecution, the maltreatment endured by the children of God. Jesus not only promised it, the disciples experienced it, and so have Christ's followers down through the centuries.

Col 1:19-20 "God was pleased that all His fullness should forever dwell in the Son who, as predetermined by God, bled peace into the world by His death on the cross as God’s means of reconciling to Himself the whole creation--all things in heaven and all things on earth."

The 66 books of the Bible are brilliant floodlights. And where does God's Word find the confluence of its radiance shining forth? Upon the Good News of God the Son--Jesus Christ our Lord!

Yes, our sins are paid for but the process of "putting off" our sinful ways continues even as we "put on" the likeness of Christ.

Our sins have been punished and forgiven; everlasting life has been offered; former enemies are offered friendship and sonship. Rejecting this is truly the tragedy of all tragedies!

Remember, we were all borne enemies to God and yet He sent His Son to die on a cross to free us from the sin that separated us. And He not only sent His Son to free us, He adopted us as His own sons & daughters.

It's that Audience of One for which we live and love and serve. No matter who else sees, may we make Him who sees all things, very very glad, especially how we treat one another...

Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, is sentenced to die on a cross--Barabbas' cross! But our Lord not only took the place of Barabbas--He took our place as well.

Our God is an awesome God! He demonstrated His wisdom and might when He created the world and all it contains, including us humans.