Good Friday

Thank you, Jesus, for your great, perfect love that kept you up on the cross, for I know it wasn't the nails. Thank you, Jesus, for seeing me - and all people - as your beloved treasure that you would do ANYTHING to spend eternity with me. I find myself saying with the psalmist, "such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." (Ps 139:6)

What am I, Lord, that you would suffer and die for the wretched sinner I am? I certainly can't begin to understand what I mean to you, or understand your love - as Paul says your love "surpasses understanding." (Eph 3:19) I know it is only by faith that I can trust in your love and sacrifice to wash me whiter than snow and allow me entrance into paradise eternal.

Today, Jesus, grant me the faith to grasp how wide and long and high and deep your love is. Break me of my sinfulness, of my pride and self-righteousness. Let me lay it all at your cross and be washed in your blood. Then plant your seed of joy to replace my guilt, that I might celebrate like never before the freedom I have in you this Easter. Amen!

Access to God!

When the curtain in the temple that leads to God’s presence is torn at Jesus’ death we have access to God. We have access in a way that even the high priest in Old Testament times did not have. We can talk to God anytime we want and he will listen. God even encourages us to talk to Him frequently, often, constantly even. To have the ear of the most powerful, the most loving of all by a long shot is a huge benefit. If the President of the United States or even a senator or congressman would listen to everything you had to say, you would have influence.

It’s much better having God’s ear. He is so much more powerful. He is so much wiser. But for another reason it is so good to be able to come into God’s presence. He is love. To be able to live closely with God, to tell him what’s on our heart even when we don’t want or need something, but to have someone who dearly loves us and dearly loves to talk with us is so wonderful.

Why don’t we take more joy in that? Like the spouse who was so excited to date that guy or gal in the first place, but now having received what was desired, now takes the spouse for granted, now spends less and less time together, and finds more reasons to be apart. God’s love for us never fails, though our love for God is not always so ardent. God delights in our presence, whether or not we appreciate Him or our ability to be close to Him. Delight in God as He delights in you.

Thanks, Jesus, for being open to us. Give us joy in your presence. Amen.

Calling Elijah

 Mark 15:35-36 ³⁵ When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” ³⁶ One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

The anticipation is so great right now.  During this Holy Week, I am anticipating the Easter celebration so much.  I am looking forward to celebrating what Christi has done for me...that he has never turned his back on me, even though I deserved it.  It is amazing that God the Father turned his back on his son, who did nothing wrong, yet he never turns his back on me.  

It is so difficult sometimes, when we deal with those who have wronged us, not to turn our backs on them.  In our sin, we often hold grudges, or gossip, or simply ignore those who have wronged us.  When I remember though, the sufferings of Christ, a perfect and innocent sacrifice, I am humbled and convicted.  How dare I act so righteous as to think I can withhold forgiveness from someone.  

Jesus, thank you for being willing to lay down Your life for me.  Amen.

The Price Is Paid!

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Mark 15:34 (NIV)

Have you ever seen a little child who gets separated in a store from his or her parents and become panicky. Maybe you have been that child. An emptiness fills you and is replaced by fear, even terror. In addition to the physical pain of the cross, in addition to the mental and emotional anguish of bearing the penalty of your sins and mine, Jesus is forsaken and deserted not only by His followers, His disciples, but by His Heavenly Father—true, pure HELL.

Jesus is forsaken in order that you and might never be forsaken. I can hear the torment in His scream: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Jesus is forsaken by His Father in order that you and I might be remembered.

Jesus, thank You for Your love. Thank You for taking my place on the cross. May I never forget or minimize what You went through for me and for all.

Philippians 2:6-8 (NIV)

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

God’s Wrath Unleashed

At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.

Mark 15:33 (NIV)

The unthinkable is happening for three long hours darkness covers the whole land. We can presume that this darkness is the result of God the Father unleashing His wrath upon His Son making “Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). When I to imagine this darkness I imagine a darkness that one can almost feel. It is an eerie and unsettling darkness that leaves one cold, chilled to the bone. It is in these hours that Jesus is making atonement for you and for me, bearing our punishment – yours and mine.

Jesus, what can we say, but “THANK YOU!” Help me/us “In view of Your mercies to offer myself as a living sacrifice…” (Romans 12:1) that I/we might “live a life worthy of my calling.” (Ephesians 4:1)