And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. - Mark 15:22-23
When Jesus was led up to the place where He would be put to death, I find it interesting that the soldiers would offer Him wine and myrrh to drink. These people hated Jesus, yet they still offered him a drug and a sedative so that He wouldn't feel the excruciating pain. Clearly, even the soldiers knew that of all the methods of execution ever devised, crucifixion was the worst. But Jesus did not take their drugs. Why? Because had He done so, He wouldn't have experienced the agony of the cross. He wouldn't have taken on the pain of our sins.
You see, Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sin and our sins. He not only died on that cross to pay for our sin, but suffered the pain, agony, and humiliation that each and every one of our sins cause. Jesus has experienced every pain that you feel. He has felt all the hurt and agony that you have experienced. He suffered through terrible shame, as many of us have. And He did it for you. He didn't take the easy way out, even when He was offered a drug to ease the pain.
Today, maybe a drug is the "easy way out" for you or someone you love. For those who are dealing with drug or alcohol abuse, or have sons or daughters, or close relatives or friends going through this, let me encourage you by simply saying this: Jesus Christ is the answer to your addiction problem. You can go through twelve steps or fifty steps, but without the One and Only Step -- Jesus Christ -- there is no freedom from any addiction. Sure, you need to recognize that you have a problem, but then go to Jesus and beg for His mercy and His help. He overcame the most traumatic suffering any one person could ever experience, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that He will help you overcome your addictions, if you just ask.
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