What Jesus Did! 'The Gamble' — Mark 15:24

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross. Then the soldiers divided Jesus' clothes among themselves. They gambled with dice to decide which clothes each soldier would get.
— Mark 15:24 NLT
Illustration of Mark 15:24 NLT — The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross. Then the soldiers divided Jesus' clothes among themselves. They gambled with dice to decide which clothes each soldier would get.

Key Thought

Just as the soldiers at the foot of this cross gambled for Jesus' clothes, people still gamble on the Cross of Christ today. Anytime people refuse to recognize who was crucified on that Cross, they gamble their future—their eternal future—assuming that Jesus was only just another man. The stakes of this gamble are incredibly high. Either Jesus offers eternal life with God or he is a delusional, self-appointed messiah. Skull Hill leaves no other places for us to place a wager. For those who believe in what Jesus did at this Cross and commit their lives to him, their faith promises them life. For those who do not believe, there is only a horribly risky gamble that this Jesus was just another man. We know from Mark 15:39 that at least one soldier acknowleged Jesus as God's Son. What have you decided about the identity of this man, Jesus, on this Cross?

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, I believe that Jesus died on the Cross to save me from my sins. I believe you raised Jesus from the dead. I have been baptized to share in his death and I have been raised to walk in a new life trusting in your saving power. I believe that Jesus' death and resurrection broke the power that Satan and his demons had over me through death. Please help me keep dead the old life I have left. Empower me by your Spirit so that I can be a living witness to the power of your Son's love and your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
  • Colossians 2:11-15
  • Galatians 6:14

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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