Jesu Juva
We are almost at the end of our month-long tribute to our Jesus and His victory over sin and death. All that remains is today, commonly known as Good Friday, then Silent Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday.
Today is a day for sorrow, but at the same time joy fills the believers heart. How can it be both? Well keep reading. Hopefully, the mystery will be resolved.
Good Friday is always a reminder that causes me to grapple with Jesus‘ sacrifice. His was a sacrifice of obedience to the Father.
Knowing what Jesus went through is so overwhelming. It is hard even for believers to comprehend. The one thing I know is I owe Him more than I ever repay. I simply love Him. My love for Him exists because of Himself. It’s His Love that helps me love.
Because of Jesus, I know that loving people means looking for ways to love them better, not how they can love me better. It means loving others in spite of how they treat me. That’s what Jesus did. This love teaches me to look for ways to love others even when it’s hard. I want to love because it honors my Savior. That thought alone makes me happy and content.
Jesus’ love is not self-serving. His Love is wholly sufficient.
Every believer who walks with God in a committed relationship knows about the Love that defies our understanding. This is Love that is priceless.
Yet this free Gift can be rejected.
I hope you will read Mark 15 with new vision. See the crucifixion and everything that our Savior endured. It was His focus and desire to obey His Father and to redeem us.
I want to share an old Medieval era lyric with you. It was written by Bernard of Clairvaux and later made famous by the music of J.S. Bach.
Sadly, we never sing it anymore, likely because of the archaic language. Pray before you read the lines and before you read the scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with our Savior’s Sacrifice, Love and Mercy.
O Sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down.
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns Thine only crown (Mark 15:7)
How pale Thou art with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn,
How does that visage languish (the Light in His eyes)
Which once was bright as morn!
What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest Friend?
For this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever,
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my love to Thee.
Did you see it? The answer to the sorrow and joy found at Calvary? If you still aren’t sure, read Colossians 1:20
Soli Deo Gloria!
Resources
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 