Friday-March 27-Luke 23:32-49-Billy Graham

Our hearts are sinful. All the things happening in the world that discourage us and cause despair come from the human heart.

Our hearts, Jesus said, are a storehouse of evil (Mark 7:21). Fornication, murder, theft, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, blasphemy, pride—all these come from the heart.

Our hearts are far from God (Matthew 15:8). Many of us go to church and outwardly live a good life, but we are living for ourselves instead of Christ. Even hearts redeemed by Christ’s love can be unbelieving, blind, proud, rebellious, idolatrous, and cold toward God.

Jesus died on the cross to show us the seriousness of our heart condition. He came to cleanse our hearts, to give us a heart-softening picture of God’s divine and infinite love, and to woo us to Himself when the world tempts us to stray. Turn to the Great Physician for healing—whatever your current heart condition. It Was Love“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” JEREMIAH 31:3Many people have difficulty believing God is a God of love. “How could He be,” they ask, “when the world is filled with so much suffering and evil?” It is not an easy issue—but if you really want to know the reality of God’s love, look at the cross.

It was love, divine love, that made Christ endure the cross, despising the shame.

It was love that restrained Him when He was falsely accused of blasphemy and led to Golgotha to die with common thieves. He raised not a hand against His enemies. It was love that kept Him from calling legions of angels to come to His defense.

It was love that made Him, in a moment of agonizing pain, pause and give hope to a repentant sinner who cried, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).

It was love that caused Jesus to lift His voice and pray, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Does God love us? Yes—and the proof is the cross.