April 15, 2022

Rhonda Patterson
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the Jews...It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.”
Luke 22:34-38, 44-46

We can imagine what Jesus’ disciples and followers were feeling as they watched the events leading up to, and the crucifixion of their Lord…fear, sorrow, hopelessness, despair, disappointment, confusion, the list goes on. They had placed all of their hopes and dreams on this being the Messiah, the One they waited for.

Aren’t you thankful that we live on this side of the resurrection of Christ? We know the rest of the story. But sometimes life hits me, and I can easily be distracted from the truth, that God wins…that sin and death have already been defeated. When that happens, I can be weighed down with some of the same emotions that Jesus’ followers felt so long ago.

Pray with me…Lord, help us to remember that we live on the victory side of the cross! Fear has no claim on us. Hopelessness is a lie because nothing is impossible for You! Thank you for lifting our heads above the enemy’s attempts to lead us back to anxiety and despair. We reject his works of darkness. Stir in us, Holy Spirit. Quicken us when we are tempted to forget Jesus’ brutal and beautiful sacrifice. We ask this always in His name, amen.