The Altar of the Heart and the Cross of Christ

March 15, 2025
Daily Devotion & Scripture Insights

Morning: Deuteronomy 26-27
Evening: Mark 15:1-26

In Deuteronomy 27, God commanded the Israelites to set up an altar of uncut stones after crossing the Jordan. This altar symbolized their sanctification—a place where they could worship in sincerity and truth. In the same way, when we are cleansed from sin, our hearts become a dwelling place for Jesus. He writes His law upon our hearts so that we may follow Him in faith and obedience, not by mere duty but out of love and devotion.

In Mark 15:1-26, Jesus, though innocent, willingly humbled Himself and bore the shame of the cross. The people mocked Him, spat upon Him, and crucified Him—yet He remained silent, enduring it all for our sake. This scene reminds us that when we continue in sin after receiving salvation, it is as if we are crucifying Christ afresh (Hebrews 6:6). True faith means more than just believing—it requires dying to our own desires and being alive only to God’s will. To be crucified with Christ means surrendering all so that He may reign fully in our hearts.

Key Insights

  1. Sanctification Sets Up an Altar in Our Hearts – Just as Israel was commanded to build an altar to God, we must prepare our hearts as a place where Christ dwells and His law is written.
  2. Jesus’ Humility Teaches Us to Surrender – He endured mockery, rejection, and suffering without defending Himself, showing us the path of total surrender.
  3. Continuing in Sin is Like Crucifying Jesus Again – If we turn back to sin after salvation, we dishonor the sacrifice Christ made on the cross (Hebrews 6:6).
  4. We Must Be Crucified with Christ – Our self-will, pride, and sinful desires must die so that we may live for God alone (Galatians 2:20).
  5. Obedience Flows from a Transformed Heart – God does not want outward religion but inward transformation, where we serve Him in faith and truth.

Connection to Other Scripture

  • Hebrews 6:6 (KJV): “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
  • Galatians 2:20 (KJV): “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”
  • Jeremiah 31:33 (KJV): “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel… I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.”
  • Romans 6:6 (KJV): “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

Questions to Reflect On

  1. Have I allowed Christ to fully sanctify my heart, making it His dwelling place?
  2. Am I still holding onto my own will and desires, or have I truly surrendered all to God?
  3. Do my actions reflect gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice, or am I living in a way that dishonors Him?
  4. How can I live each day as one who is crucified with Christ?
  5. What does it mean for me to follow Jesus in faith and truth, not just outwardly but from the heart?

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the cleansing power of Your grace. Help me to set up an altar in my heart where You alone reign. Write Your law deep within me so that I may follow You in faith and truth. Lord, I surrender my will, my desires, and my pride—I want to be crucified with Christ, that He may live fully in me. May I never take lightly the sacrifice of Jesus but live in a way that honors Him each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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