As I sit here on this Good Friday morning, I struggle to find the words to write. We’re in the midst of one of the strangest and most unsettling times in modern history. And while, on a personal level, we’re safe and well, at the same time, I feel like so many are living with this undercurrent of constant anxiety. No one is unaffected by this situation, whether it be in health or finances or in the everyday living of life. Our world has been upended, and most of us are affected on multiple levels.
So as I sit, I think back to that Good Friday over 2000 years ago. And on that day nothing seemed “good” about it. Jesus had been arrested and was being crucified without cause. His disciples were confused and incredibly scared. Nothing about that day seemed even remotely “good”.
From Luke 23 Jesus Dies on the Cross 44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. 47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” 48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. 49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb 50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. 55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
Can you imagine the devastation and disappointment facing Jesus’s followers? Can you imagine how utterly lost they must’ve felt?
And yet . . .
What they didn’t know is exactly what would make, what was seemingly, the worst of all days very good. What they didn’t know was that Jesus had to die in order to be resurrected and bring us true life and forgiveness. What they didn’t know was He was and is the ultimate sacrifice. In the darkest hour of all time, they didn’t realize they had the promise of Sunday.
And that is exactly what is on my mind this morning as we sit in what is a very dark hour for our nation and our world. As Americans, as people in general, we like to be in control, and when faced with the reality that we have no control of a situation, we can easily spiral. But here’s what we do know. Here is our reality in the here and now . . . we may not have any control over the virus . . . we may not have any control over the decisions made by our leaders or our neighbors . . . we may not be able to control the economy or even, our own paychecks right now . . . but we know the One is absolutely in control. And nothing, no virus, no faltering or booming econcomy, no person, no thing will ever change that.
The other day I shared this scripture on Instagram:
Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. Zechariah 9:12
Whatever you need today, it is found in Christ alone. All our hope is found in Him and Him alone so just hold on because Sunday is coming . . .
All My Hope I've been held by the Savior I've felt fire from above I've been down to the river I ain't the same, a prodigal returned All my hope is in Jesus Thank God that yesterday's gone All my sins are forgiven And I've been washed by the blood I'm no stranger to prison I've worn shackles and chains But I've been freed and forgiven And I'm not going back, I'll never be the same That's why I sing All my hope is in Jesus Thank God that yesterday's gone All my sins are forgiven I've been washed by the blood There's a kind of thing that just breaks a man Break him down to his knees God, I've been broken more than a time or two Yes, Lord then Then He picked me up and showed me What it means to be a man Come on and sing all my hope is in Jesus Thank God that yesterday's gone Yes, all my sins are forgiven I've been washed by the blood Come on and sing all my hope is in Jesus Thank God that yesterday's gone Yes, all my sins are forgiven Oh I've been washed by the blood, oh oh Songwriters: David Crowder/Ed Cash All My Hope Lyrics, Copyright: Capitol Christian Music Group, Music Services, Inc.
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Courtney's Contemplations . . . 