Hope:From the Valley of the Shadow

Lord Jesus--Death came knocking in my family's world this week. The emotions were raw and the hope so clearly seen scrubbed clean of all the ways that hope can be encrusted by lesser things.

There was a sense of sadness and loss that was real, but there was also a sense of victory.  There was a celebration  of a life lived in the middle of a world of brokenness to the glory of the Father.

I hold a faith that is familiar with death, crosses and an empty grave.  So where is the hope in the middle of this hurt?  It is found in your words from the cross to a man who was hanging there with you...a man you met just in time. 

Luke 23:43 (CEV)

Jesus replied, "I promise that today you will be with me in paradise."

It was a promise, nothing less. From a cross made out of wood with sweat and blood mixed into it.  You reached out with one of your last gasps of breath to offer hope to a thief that was next to you.  Thank you Lord Jesus for hope that is found in the most unlikely places. 

Thank you, Lord Jesus for making a cross a place where hope can be offered and found. Thank you for turning funerals into a place of hope...thank you for being a part of a family that your story has been lived out in over three...no make that four generations and counting. 

Lord Jesus--Help me to live a life that counts for your Kingdom in the middle of this brokenness and blessing that surrounds me here in this place you have called me to.  Help me to keep my part of the circle of faith unbroken.

Κύριος Notes :Day Break on a Day when Darkness Reigned

Adoration

Light of the world

You stepped down into darkness.

Opened my eyes, let me see.

Beauty that made this heart adore You

Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship,

Here I am to bow down,

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely

All together worthy,

All together wonderful to me

Scripture Reflection: Luke 22

66At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67"If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us."

Beaten and ridiculed by people you could have sent through the gates of hell with one command, you listened to their questions. In the middle of it there was no answer that would lead to acquittal or freedom. You know what it is to be wrongly accused and in the middle of it you did not rebuke them.

Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
70They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am."
71Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."

They did not want to know if You were the Christ except to convict you of blasphemy. They knew their reaction before they even asked the question.

I would like to think that I am different than these men. They accused you without a moments hesitation even as the evidence of your last miracle was dancing around the room on the head of the servant who had his ear cut off. Yet, I know that I am quick to accuse you of not caring, or not watching out for me, or being absent because things are not working out exactly as I would like them to. Forgive me Jesus for so often pointing the finger of accusation at others when I am doing much the same thing.

This was the day break of a day when darkness would reign and evil would appear to triumph over God's plan...but Easter is coming!