February 1 ~

Men of Israel, hear these words: ... this Jesus ... you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men ... this Jesus whom you crucified ... I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming ... But [Satan is coming and] I do as the Father has commanded Me ... Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but (always) Yours, be done ...
Acts 2:22,23,36 (RSV); Jn.14:30,31 (Amp); Lk.22:42 (Amp)

Who nailed Thee, dearest Jesus, to the tree?
Was Man the crucifier? Yes, 'twas he!
Yet, though this answer - Man - the truth doth tell,
a higher truth says 'twas the lord of hell
- the devil! - working through unknowing men:
that he both moved and motivated them.
But lo! a third and higher truth there is:
'Twas God Himself - the Father - Who willed this:
that His Own Son upon the cross should die!

Now He, in like light, doth Self crucify!
God via Satan via Man doth slay
the Self-life of His Children, till their Way,
their Truth, their very Life becomes the Son!

Help me, O Love, submit as this is done!

"If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must say 'No' to self, put his cross on his shoulders, and keep on following me" ... "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" ... I die daily ... we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body ... Christ, who is our life ... I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life ... O the depth of God! ... For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things ...
Matt.16:24 (Wil); Acts 14:22 (NAS); 1 Cor.15:31 (NAS); 2Cor.4:8-10 (NAS); Col.3:4 (KJV); Jn.14:6 (Beck); Rom.11:33,36 (KJV).

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