Because He Lives

It was Friday evening. Heads were hung low. Unanswered questions echoed through troubled minds.

“Did we make a mistake in following this man?” Is he really the one prophesized about by the prophets of old?” “What is he doing hanging on a cross?”

I can only imagine the questions of the disciples as they watched the events that took place unable to intervene. I’m sure Peter wanted to take on everyone on Jesus’ behalf and he did try;

10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear.

However,

11Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" John 18:10-11

Whenever I read the Easter story I am always in awe of the depth of God’s love for us. Jesus didn’t want anyone to fight this battle, to step in and be His savior because he was The Savior.

I can picture the disciple that Jesus loved. He must have felt helpless, lost, even forsaken. This man was probably a big brother, maybe even father figure to him and now there he hung beaten, bleeding and seemingly defeated on the cross. Probably knowing his sense of helplessness Jesus gave him an assignment, one that He would only give to someone He trusted completely.

26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home John 19:26-27

That beloved disciple must have held his new mother close and comforted her as Jesus cried It is finished." then bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Darkness, despair, discouragement, total hopelessness… this is how that moment must have seemed to those who loved Jesus, the moment where all hopes, dreams and expectations came crashing down. We’ve all experienced those moments in life. But I am so thankful that moment on the cross was not the end of the story. I’m so thankful for resurrection Sunday, that an empty tomb stands testament to the fact that He rose again, that my Jesus lives.

10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"
"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there… John 20:13-14

Oh the joy of that moment when a ray of hope cuts through the darkness, when the impossible becomes possible, when hope springs anew…

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth a living, just because He lives
Bill Gaither