parallels

john stott says the following:

"It is interesting to reflect how three of the major actors in the drama of the passion were related to the cross. We could say that Judas caused the cross, because his treachery led straight to it; Barabbas escaped the cross, gaining his freedom at Jesus's expense; and Simon bore the corss, carrying it for Jesus. Moreover, these three are not incompatible with Christian experience today. Like Judas we hav caused the corss by our greed and duplicity. Like Barabbas we have escaped the corss throuhg him who died in our place. And like Simon we are called to take up our cross every day and follow Christ."

i don't really have much to say about today. i am simply reminded of the hymn:

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

And now complete in Him
My robe His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down
All down at Jesus’ feet.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.