THANKFUL

Friday, April 02, 2021

Lord, the cross was not what they expected. How could one of their own, Judas, betray You? The disciple’s world came to an end when guards arrested You, led You away and finally crucified You. How could You, who opened blind eyes, made the lame to leap, cleansed the lepers, even walked on water, allow Yourself to be bound, mocked, spat upon, scourged to a bloody pulp, and then publicly humiliated, the Creator of the universe, crucified naked like a common criminal? What happened to the Kingdom of God You promised to establish? So much for destroying the enemy who held the people captive. No, the cross ended their world. And if they identified with this Christ, the same fate awaited them. They bailed on You and fled into hiding. Days earlier they claimed they would follow You no matter where the path may lead, even to death. Now, those words seem hollow. Except for John, they turned tail and ran. He and Jesus’ mother Mary stayed at the foot of the cross. Still, they could see no future past the cross.

Your followers today know the rest of the story. Because of Your blood shed on the cross satisfied the wrath of God against sin, for all who believe in Your sacrifice on the cross, our sins are covered. The disciples’ lives, like ours, are forever changed. The work of the cross guarantees our eternal part of the Kingdom of God. Without the cross, there is no Resurrection Sunday. And because You live, the enemy of our soul no longer holds us captive!

Thank You, Jesus. Because You live, we too have eternal life. Amen