Sorrow at the Cross
On Good Friday, I have to admit, I have a hard time seeing past the cross to the resurrection. Even knowing how the story ends, how Jesus rose and defeated the darkness and death, securing our salvation for eternity, I still am blinded with tears on this day. My heart breaks for Jesus, my Savior and Lord. I want to cry out to God and ask why there couldn’t have been another way. I am always seeking a better understanding.
We tend to give the disciples a lot of grief for their actions when they walked with Jesus. I don’t see it that way, at least not to the extent that it is often preached upon. The disciples were courageous men who were actively seeking God and waiting for the Christ. Even after 400 years of silence, these twelve men were seeking and were faithful. I often wonder what Nathaniel was doing under that tree.
What are some infractions made by the disciples?
- John and James wanting to bring fire down on a non-believing town
- Peter wanting to defend Jesus from capture and death
- Thomas wanting to see the risen Jesus with his own eyes
These are normal responses to participating in something new and great, and wanting badly to be a part of it, to be relevant in exciting times, to stand courageous, and to do the right thing. I understand them, because here I am, on the other side of the resurrection, with the words of the New Testament at my disposal, and still, I struggle with the realities of pain and death and the profound righteousness and love of God.
When I set my eyes upon the cross on Good Friday, I see what John saw and feel what the disciples felt, tragedy and heartbreak. I see unjust suffering and the casual and proficient cruelty of men. I understand the fragility and weakness of their flesh and am able to sympathize with them.
Sad, but not Broken
Beyond the heartbreak the disciples felt, they also felt defeat and saw their dreams shattered. This is where we can part ways with them, for we can’t see defeat and shattered dreams. We know what happens on Sunday, and while our hearts may break alongside the disciples on Friday, we never experience the defeat they experienced, and we never have to, because Jesus Christ rose on the third day, cementing our salvation, and taking His place as King and Intercessor on our behalf. Rejoice, brothers and sisters, because we serve the living God and the risen Savior, and we are anointed with His Spirit. Jesus is ALIVE! Rejoice, because we worship God. We don’t worship, shouldn’t worship, and need to stop worshipping prophets and saints who are flesh and blood, who are human just like you and I, and who are dead. Jesus Christ is the ONLY Son of God, He IS GOD, and He is WORTHY of our totality.
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