Another post never shared…
After a weeks of watching my loved ones suffer because of grief at the loss of their loved ones, as well as take part in Holy Week, I start this post at the end. Well, what the disciples/followers thought was the end.
Matthew 27:46-52
”About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;“
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.27.46-52.NASB1995
If you were a follower of Christ, this moment when Jesus took his last breath and cried out, not knowing what we know now, you would have some questions. I think of myself in the midst of hard circumstances, what if I knew the end? What if someone could come and tell me everything works together for good, because I love God? Romans 8:28.
Jesus told his disciples that he would die three times, according to the Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John has even more times. And yet, in this moment of his death, reasoning this was so hard. Honestly, I get that! The panic of the call that says dad is in the hospital (he isn’t right now) or that a child has been in an accident (none that I know of right now), it has been so easy to forget truth. Right there.
In the moment. I have heard people say that in the midst of tragedy how we react speaks to our faith. I need to think that through. If we take the story of Peter who denied Jesus 3 times, his response would say, no faith. Or lack of faith. Maybe. But through his tragedy of rejection, Peter found forgiveness in a simple meal of fish with the risen Savior.
As the book of Acts opens, we see a very different Peter filled with wisdom and leadership drawing thousands to Christ. Time with Christ transformed all of the disciples, but this very loud, demonstrative rejection of Christ was seen by all AND recorded by John. We are meant to see this story unfold and be redeemed.
Peter chose to run to Christ for forgiveness. Those three days crushed him and Jesus knew it.
“Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right, wearing a [long, stately] white robe; and they were amazed and bewildered. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See, [here is] the place where they laid Him. [Ps 16:10] But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there, just as He told you.’ ” [Mark 14:28] They went out and fled from the tomb, for they were seized with trembling and astonishment; and they said nothing [about it] to anyone, because they were afraid.”
Mark 16:5-8 AMP. Bold and italics mine.
And Peter. Not only had the three days been filled with the devastating loss of Christ, but his final interactions with Jesus must have haunted him.
In our humanity, we see death as separation from our loved ones. They are no longer with us. They are departed. We relive the good and bad moments, we have regrets and we have memories.
I’ll end with one of my favorite scriptures.
““Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; so how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
John 14:1-6 AMP
Friend, there is a land beyond this world. Trust in his name.
Comment
Thank you Cara. 🙂