In the solitary shadows of blooming Olive Trees a man wrestles with the next several hours. Not a wrestling of I don’t want to do this, but a war against an unseen enemy. His friends heavy with food and Passover wine slumber several yards away. He knew what was coming, the price He’d pay. A sacrifice that would over shadow every sacrifice that had taken place since the fall of man.
By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words He breathed His last.
When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said “Surely this man was innocent.” And all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.
And with His last breath the birth pains of grace increased. A grace that would soon be birthed for the redemption of man’s debt of sin.
Tell them the Lord looked down from His heavenly sanctuary. He looked down to earth from heaven to hear the groans of the prisoners, to release those condemned to die.
Great words for today. I love that Psalm. Thank you Jesus!
I know I’d read it before, but when I read it not long ago it hit me like a 2×4 with the richness of prophecy.
I love how you brought the Psalm into this post…the birth of grace, the birthpains of grace-what a beautiful word picture.
Thanks Keri.