Monday 30 May, 2016

44 It was now about noon. Then darkness covered the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The sun had stopped shining. The temple curtain was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my life.” After he said this, he took his last breath. 47 The Roman commander saw what had happened. He praised God and said, “Jesus was surely a man who did what was right.” 48 The people had gathered to watch this sight. When they saw what happened, they felt very sad. Then they went away. 49 But all those who knew Jesus stood not very far away, watching these things. They included the women who had followed him from Galilee.

I can’t imagine what it would have been like for Jesus’ friends that day. I know how the story ends. They didn’t. After everything they had seen and heard, this day must have been distressing and impossible to comprehend. They had grasped the truth that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who came to save them – and now this? How could this possibly be part of God’s plan? When the onlookers went home, His friends stood at a distance watching… waiting… hoping…

There are days in my life when I am unable to comprehend what is going on, I am distressed at the circumstances I find myself in and cannot see where my Saviour is or what He is doing. Like Jesus friends, I stand at a distance, watching, waiting, hoping.

But when I choose to lift my eyes to the cross, I don’t see a defeated friend, I see a resurrected Saviour whose love never fails. I choose to put my trust in You Lord Jesus, knowing that you are able to overcome even death.

Written by Ps. Linda Quinn