2 Corinthians 1:10 He has delivered us from such
a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope that
He will continue to deliver us.
Maundy Thursday is one of the most
solemn days on the Christian calendar. I get deeply immersed in the gravity of
this day, as well as the painfulness of Good Friday. Both days weigh heavy upon
my soul and a spiritual gloom almost overwhelms me. Christ’s betrayal
emotionally distresses me; Christ’s crucifixion spiritually depresses me.
I understand that Easter Sunday is
just around the corner and that I will be cheerfully celebrating three days
from now. However, today deeply affects my soul because I recognize myself in
the villains of the story, and my despicable part in Christ’s downfall.
I think most Christians understand
these feelings. We serve Christ each day of the year in our congregations and
communities. We share our faith by helping others in times of need and showing
love in times of distress. We want other people to experience and embrace the
joy of Jesus Christ, which we honestly believe will help them immensely in
their daily lives.
And then we encounter Christ, betrayed and
abandoned, arrested and beaten, humiliated and executed. The joy disappears and
His love is diminished; inhumanity is unleashed and injustice is unfettered.
Instead of the Lord of our lives, we read about the suffering servant; instead
of the Holy Son of God majestically enthroned in Heaven, we see the horribly battered
human being gruesomely pinned to a man-made Cross.
Jesus went through all of this for us,
which is why Paul’s words have a poignancy and relevancy on this day: He
has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again.
On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive us. Amen.
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