The Day Hope Died
"Jesus called out in a loud voice, 'Father into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last." -- Luke 23:46
On this day two thousand and ten years ago, hope died. We are fortunate because we know the outcome. We know Jesus rose three days later and now sits at the right hand of God. But His followers, those who lived and traveled with Him, who sought His teaching and placed their hope in Him, didn't know what was to come.
Imagine the devastation they had to feel. Darkness filled the sky. The temple curtain was torn in two. The earth shook, rocks split, tombs broke open and bodies were raised to life. And, still, Jesus was dead. Those brave enough to watch, saw Him take His last breath and give His Spirit up to God. They saw His body as it was placed in a tomb.
Then what? The disciples gathered. But where was hope? He had told them what was to come but how could they believe what they had not seen? How could they understand? Even these who had seen miracle after miracle, doubted reports that He was, indeed, alive.
Today we mourn the death of our beloved Savior. And we celebrate Him as well because without His sacrifice we would all be doomed. He gave us life. He gave us hope. But that is all to come. On this day, the day of the cross, we remember His suffering. We see Him hanging from the cross. We see His wounds. We remember the cost.
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