Into the Darkness

 

Ever had to make a choice you knew would be difficult or painful because you knew there was much to be gained? Marathon runners amaze me with their choice to train for long, hard months, subjecting their bodies to hardship. Why do they do this? So that they can complete the race and know that satisfaction that comes with accomplishment. People choose medical procedures that make them miserable, at first, with the hope of getting well. It may be cliché but it is true  - It’s always darkest before the dawn!

Christians mark this as Holy Week, a time to remember, with gratitude, Jesus' willingness to descend into darkness that was incomparably worse than any choice we make. He told His friends, "As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified." (Matthew 26:2, NLT) He knew it would be terrible, and He was filled with dread at the thought of becoming sin for us.  

 A few weeks ago I stood in that garden where He prayed - "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." (Matthew 26:39, NLT)  My heart was moved when I contemplated the awesome struggle that led to my reconciliation with God. Yes, Jesus surely knew the Cross was His destiny and He knew the Resurrection was His hope. But, even with that hope, there was a choice to be made that involved death and suffering.

His sacrifice was not forced on Him, He willingly embraced the agony of the Cross, the shame of being the sin-bearer, for us only for love’s sake. He made the choice to descend into the darkness, not for Himself, but for us. His loss was our gain. His obedience bought our salvation from sin, death, and Hell! He bridged the uncrossable chasm that sin carved between the Father and His Creation.  He is worthy of our worship this week, our quiet adoration in silent memory.

We must not rush past the bloody Cross
to get to the glorious Empty Tomb!

The glory of the Resurrection morning
would not be possible without Good Friday's suffering.

Know this, too. It may be that you are confronted with some difficult spiritual choice in your life where the will of God leads against your desires. The road He calls you to walk leads through pain of self-denial, even death to Self. Will you do it? Will you willingly descend into the dark of that situation, so that He can lead you into the Light of His purposes? 

Here is the Spirit’s encouragement - "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV) Look past the pain to the Glory! Grasp the promise of abundant life - presently and eternally - and present yourself as a 'living sacrifice.'  

Mediate on Paul’s words, letting the call to selflessness own you – heart, soul, mind, and strength. " Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. " (2 Timothy 2:10-12, NIV)

The word from the Word is my prayer for you- "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21, NIV)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

There's a place
Where mercy reigns and never dies
There's a place
Where streams of grace flow deep and wide
Where all the love I've ever found
Comes like a flood comes flowing down

At the cross at the cross
I surrender my life
I'm in awe of You I'm in awe of You
Where Your love ran red and my sin washed white
I owe all to You I owe all to You (Jesus)

There's a place
Where sin and shame are powerless
Where my heart
Has peace with God and forgiveness
Where all the love I've ever found
Comes like a flood comes flowing down

Here my hope is found
Here on holy ground
Here I bow down here I bow down
Here arms open wide
Here You saved my life
Here I bow down here I bow (down)

Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jonas Myrin | Matt Armstrong | Matt Redman

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