Luke 23:44-49 NIV It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e] When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Luke 23:44-49 MSG By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours—a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, “Father, I place my life in your hands!” Then he breathed his last. When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: “This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!” All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home. Those who knew Jesus well, along with the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a respectful distance and kept vigil.
Observation
I wonder what it was like to be there watching all of this without the hindsight of the Resurrection. Was the Centurion questioning the decisions of his superiors? How many cruel and unjust acts had he seen done or been ordered to do? Was this a last straw? What about those who had mocked and spit on Him as He carried the Cross, those who had allowed their religious leaders to whip them up into a frenzy demanding Jesus’ crucifixion? Had the deep darkness at midday caused them to reconsider, to wonder if this Man on the Cross really was innocent, a true prophet or even Who He said He was – the Son of God? Were these questioners some who subsequently became followers of Christ because they were so moved by the crucifixion?
And “those who knew Jesus well,” what were their thoughts as they watched Him humiliated, cruelly tortured and dying on the Cross? Were they thoughts of despair or anger or hope? I can imagine some of them. “I really believed He was our long-awaited Messiah, but, seeing Him crucified with criminals in such humiliation, how can that be?” “Any moment now, He will miraculously step down off that Cross.” “He raises the dead; He can’t die like this!” “I hate the Romans and the Sanhedrin! How can they treat this good and innocent man like this?” “I don’t understand any of this, but I know He is Messiah!”
Impact on Me
I don’t know what I would have been thinking at that moment, but I often find myself thinking the last one. There are so many times that the circumstances seem overwhelming, unbearable, unfathomable or just too bad for a good God to allow. Often, I don’t understand why I am where I am, why bad things happen, why my prayers seem ineffective, why God doesn’t intervene in the way I think He should, BUT I always want to remember that He is God (not me!) and, in faith, continue to “keep vigil” and trust in His plan.
My father was paranoid schizophrenic. He abandoned our family when I was twelve because his voices said it was dangerous for us if he stayed. I felt as though I was one of those looking at the Cross and crying out with tears and heartbreak, “God, I don’t understand why this is happening, but I am left with only my faith that You are not willing for any to perish, so You have a plan for his life and future. I trust that Holy Spirit is working to draw him into Your freedom. I trust that, regardless of how heartbreaking this is and has been, You can turn all of this around for good because I am Your beloved and this is Your promise to those who love You. I know that You know the number of his days, that You will give us grace and strength to endure, that You are a good God.” Lord, I believe; Help my unbelief.
We go through fire (dire circumstances and tragic events) in our lives and are given choices. We can become bitter, defeated, angry and abandon our faith or choose to be molded, shaped, refined and strengthened by faith for God’s purposes and to fulfill His plan. So, I try to remember that, no matter where life takes me, I never go alone. My Redeemer, Friend, Counselor, Comforter, Advocate is with me and for me – just as He is for all who call on and rely on Jesus as Savior. He understands my suffering, but He also modeled for me how to trust God to use our sufferings to change us and impact the world around us.
Devotion
Lord God, I praise You for Who You are! You are Eternal Father, Redeemer, Holy Spirit – the only Wise God. I submit my expectations based on my limited understanding to Your eternal perspective. Just as the Cross was completely confusing to those who were there to see it, the journey I traveled seemed to twist and turn between the good times and the bad. Nonetheless, I have come to know that I do not require understanding of the moment to hear and obey Your clear instructions without question. I pray that my perspective, my thinking, my actions will always be grounded in faith in You, Your plan, Your goodness, Your heart to see none perish, Your love for me. I pray that I will not so much need to understand and approve Your plans but, rather, hear and obey regardless of the cost to me. I pray this all in the name of Jesus. Make it so.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 