MATTHEW 26:30-32

Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

TO PONDER

Good Friday (or not so Good Friday - depending on how you want to look at it) is often a day of solemnity and reflection, sorrow and mourning, and so it should be. The self sacrificing death of the God of creation for our sake and salvation is something worthy of deep reflection and consideration.

However, in some of Jesus last words to his disciples just prior to his arrest, Jesus is already telling them of the hope that is to come. He has told them so many times already that he would be betrayed, killed and then raised from the dead, but most of them have still not understood.

Here in the 21st Century, some two thousand years after the crucifixion of Jesus we have the benefit if hindsight. We have the first hand accounts of some of those who witnessed these things for themselves. As God's people, we have the benefit of two thousand years worth of faithful and dedicated meditation and reflection of those who have gone before us in the faith about what the death and resurrection of Jesus means for us.

But imagine the disciples as they heard Jesus words to them. They may have seen Jesus raise others from the dead, but no one had ever raised themselves from the dead before. They knew Jesus was different and often didn't meet people's expectations - but could God's promised Messiah actually have come for such a short time only to be killed by the Romans - the very people many thought Jesus had come to liberate them from? When you think about it, it's not so hard to understand why the disciples maybe didn't get it.

But here's the thing - Jesus didn't need them to 'get it' before going through with the Father's plan. Even more amazingly, in the face of his impending suffering and crucifixion, Jesus appears concerned that he provide some kind of hope for the disciples. To tell them that even though the day ahead will cause them to fear for their lives, run for the hills, and desert him, he will not abandon them. In three days he will see them again in Galilee as he had so many times before.

So, this Good Friday, take some time - as so many Christians before you have done - to reflect on the significance of the death of God on a cross for you. But do so with the knowledge and understanding that Jesus left for his disciples and for us. His death is not the end, it's just the path he took so that he could go ahead of us that we might meet him and be where he is for all eternity.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, there really are no words to express the depth of my gratitude for your sacrifice on the cross for my sake. Despite my best efforts, I cannot imagine the torment and anguish you experienced so that I would never have to know the pain of being eternally separated from you. Please help me to remember that no matter how tough life may become, I can have the confidence that you are with me making a way for me to be with you both on the other side of my challenges but also in the midst of them. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle