Today’s Readings
Context
We live in a world of illusion. Think about Jesus as he stood before Pilate, in Luke 23:1-5, and before Herod in Luke 23:6-13. These were powerful men and Jesus was a prisoner, a pauper, seemingly under their thumb.
Consider what everyone else thought as Jesus stood before Pilate, thinking that Pilate held Jesus' life in his hands. People stood there wondering what Pilate was going to do with Jesus, what decision he would make. Jesus was at the mercy of the Roman governor - so thought everyone who was there that day.
But that was nothing but an illusion. Pilate was not running the show that day. Satan moved in hearts and tried to destroy Jesus, but he was not in charge. Evil men did evil things, but the religious leaders were not dictating the course of events. Despite appearances, nobody was doing anything to Jesus. He was doing as he willed, according to the Father's plan devised in eternity past for the redemption of man. God was doing what he purposed to do.
That is the illusion we live with. It appears that evil men are doing evil things and that the purposes of God are threatened. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is still on the throne. Does it seem like things are so bad that nothing good can come from them? That is an illusion. Do you feel abandoned by God? It's not real. Does it seem certain that evil will prevail and the cause of righteousness be defeated in this world? A mirage in the desert. That is not reality.
It is crucial to remember at all times in the crucifixion story that Jesus was NOT a victim, but he was the prime mover. This was something Jesus DID, not something that was DONE TO HIM. He made it clear to Pilate and it is something that each of us should remember.
God did this. Jesus submitted to this. We are saved because of it. Satan was defeated by it.
God did this. Jesus submitted to this. We are saved because of it. Satan was defeated by it.
Devotional - The Darkest Day
The land was dark, a darkness that settled in and did not go away for hours on end. This was no ordinary darkness. It wasn't nighttime; it was noon, one, two, three. There was no eclipse or severe cloud cover. This was a divine darkness, the darkness of judgment. Jesus was on the Cross bearing the sins of the world and the wrath of God poured out on him darkened the world. At the climax of the eternal crisis, Jesus called out the opening words of Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" They gave him a sponge with sour wine, then he cried out with a loud voice (we know from John that he spoke the glorious words "It is finished") and then Jesus died.
Tragic. Awful. Brutal. The worst moment in human history as the Son of God dies under the hand of God's judgment. But it was also the turning point of time, the moment when sin died and hope began. The story doesn't completely turn around until the glorious moment three days later when Jesus rises from the dead, but there are immediate hints that this death is a turning point.
First, and perhaps most significantly, the curtain of the temple is torn in two - and the tear comes from top to bottom (Mt 27:51). The curtain symbolized the separation between God and man that our sin created. Only the high priest, once a year, could enter the holy of holies with the blood of the sacrifice to be in God's presence. The curtain prevented anyone else from enjoying God's glorious presence. Not anymore. Jesus died once for all and tore that thing down! From God's end! Our sin no longer separates us from the presence of God when we come to God through Christ.
Second, even though the resurrection had not happened yet, there was a little foreshadowing of what was to come as dead saints came to life and entered the city (Mt 27:52-53). That must have been quite a night of both celebration and fear!
Finally, there was a recognition of Jesus' nature from an unlikely source, a Roman centurion (Mt. 27:54). Having observed Jesus on the Cross for all of those hours, having seen the darkness fall, having experienced the earthquake and perhaps just being in the presence of one of the greatest moment in world history, the centurion and those with him remark, "Truly, this was the Son of God."
They took Jesus away and prepared him for burial and the Romans put a guard at the tomb, but nothing could stop what God was about to do. Jesus died for our sins and this world would never be the same. Sin has been defeated and the sting of death is removed. The curtain is gone and sinners like you and me can enter the presence of Almighty God.
The day may have been dark in Jerusalem, but in reality, it was the end of darkness for those who believe in Jesus Christ!
Father, I thank you for all that happened there that day. Jesus bore my sins and tore down the curtain that separated me from you and your glory. Thank you for your power and mercy and hope.
Think and Pray
There is little you can do but read, grieve, and rejoice as you think of the great work of Christ on the cross.
Repent of your sin today.
Rejoice in your salvation.
Recommit yourself to Christ and his Lordship.
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