Inspiring

Read Deuteronomy 21-22
 
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, 23 you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse.
 
THIS grim passage isn’t very inspiring is it? In truth, this command profoundly affects our lives today.
    One aspect of the law is that it was to be swiftly administered, so the punishment would deter others. This command is to warn people against such capital offenses as murder, adultery and blasphemy. The execution was stoning. Then the body was hung on a tree as public notice to say, “This is the result of a crime against God and man.”
    We understand how this impacts us when we know blasphemy was the Jews’ reason for killing Jesus. Matthew 26:65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy!” The Jews believed they were following God’s law. And, in essence, they were. Because of Rome’s execution methods, the crime was displayed on the cross. Then Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea followed the law by removing Jesus’ body before sundown.
    In the Jews’ eyes, then and to this day, Jesus of Nazareth was a cursed blasphemer. It is impossible for such a person to be the Messiah, let alone the Son of God. That’s why Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. The gospel message is very foolish to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18). We can understand how the world view would be blind to Jesus’ saving work.
    To confront this challenge, Paul taught of God’s inspiring work to save us: Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
    Think of it! The Father’s will was to establish the law. Then he sent Jesus to fulfill the law through the penalty of the cross. Now the way of the law is completed. The curse of Christ crucified becomes the eternal blessing. Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  
   
Does God’s love inspire you? Jeremiah 32:40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.