“Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
For there is a future for the man of peace!
But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord!
He is their stronghold in the time of trouble!
The Lord helps them and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
Because they take refuge in him.” (From Psalm 37:37-40 ESV)
IT’S SATURDAY… Yesterday was “Good Friday,” the day we remember the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross “in our place” for our sin, and “on our behalf” (our salvation)! Tomorrow we celebrate the resurrection – Easter!
Saturday was a day of “waiting” – a day of dashed hopes and sorrow! A day suspended between sacrifice and stunning victory!
Someone on Facebook asked yesterday… “What is your favorite Easter song?” On this Saturday before Easter I’d have to say, “He Arose!” It captures both Saturday and Sunday!!! Reflect on it’s words this “IN BETWEEN SATURDAY”…
“Lo in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
“Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
[But] “Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
Chorus:
“Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes!
He arose the Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign!
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!”
Songwriter: Robert Lowry, 1874
Interestingly, the Bible reading plan I authored, “Necessary Food,” has the “passion narrative” of Jesus as one of the passages those that follow it read over Holy Week (in fact the crucifixion and resurrection are read “Good Friday through Easter Sunday)! It doesn’t often happen that way, but it did this year.
As I read the story of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus today (Matthew 27) I was deeply moved and reminded of what Jesus went through on our behalf!! In fact, I was AMAZED as I recalled these verses of Scripture:
“Jesus, who FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God! CONSIDER HIM who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (From Hebrews 12:2-4 ESV)
Wow! What a “Good Friday” message and focus for reflection!!!
Coffee With The Lord 