This is the time of year when we are on a bit of a roller coaster. Take the first few weeks of the month here in Alberta for example. We were, at one point in time, basking in sunshine and temperatures in the high teens. There was almost no snow in the yard, the buds were getting ready to open up, and the shorts had been pulled out of the bottom drawer. Suddenly, the snowstorm hit and there was close to two feet of snow everywhere. No bare patches on the lawn, the buds had pulled back on bursting forth, and the shorts made way for long johns and gloves once again. Today, I look out my office window watching the snow melt off roofs and lawns once again. So many times I have heard this week “enough already, this is supposed to be spring and I should be sitting in shorts on the patio!” Cars drive by the church and they are all the same colour, dirt grey. No need to go get them clean because the second they drive out of the wash, they are messy again.
Consider this, Jesus was having one of those weeks centuries ago. He made His triumphant entry into the Holy City having a wonderful time and then got a bit upset at the money changers in the Temple. Later that week, He enjoyed fellowship with the faith family only to be betrayed later, nailed to the cross and killed. Three days later, He arose and carried on with the fellowship, teaching and preaching as He went along. Talk about a roller coaster week! At one point in all this, Jesus cried out in prayer,
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Luke 22:42-44 NLT
I highlight this because I believe this was the only time in all this that Christ called out for His own relief. He did not call down legions of angels to destroy those who were scourging Him with whips and nailing Him to the cross, He did not call down curses upon those who falsely accused Him and demanded His death, instead, He called down mercy and grace on those who watched as He suffered for us all, suffered for our sins. The one thief on the cross chastised Jesus taunting Him to save them, prove He was who He claimed to be. The other thief simply asked forgiveness, “remember me when you come into your Kingdom”.
Cry out to Jesus, remember me Lord, forgive me Jesus.
We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:41-43 NLT
Jesus did not destroy the Holy City, He did not destroy the population. He could have easily done just that but instead He called for mercy and grace.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NLT
When the world cries out demanding personal justice because they are hard done by, Jesus called mercy on those who were persecuting Him. Does the world fear the Message because it means they have to soften their hearts and turn their back on evil? Jesus awaits us in paradise, we just need to cry out to Jesus and give over to Him, it is that easy.
This Good Friday, we will be gathering for a message from His Word and then again Sunday to celebrate the resurrection. We invite you to gather with us as we proclaim Christ’s victory over the darkness. Please join us either in person or online. Our service is at 6:30 PM on Good Friday and 10:30 AM Easter Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”
