In He Chose the Nails, Max Lucado observes that the last moments leading up to Jesus’ death were not left up to chance. God chose the path; he selected the nails. Our Lord planted the trio of crosses and painted the sign. God was never more sovereign than in the details of the death of his Son. And in those details are gifts Christ provided for us…the cross. The thorns. The nails. His seamless robe. The empty tomb.

God didn’t have to give us all these things, you know. The only required act for our salvation was the shedding of blood, yet he did much more. So much more.