2 Days until Easter

2 Days until Easter

Darkness fell. A thick gloom crept into every crevice.   A blanket of the deepest black enveloped the earth.  For three hours, night filled the day.  The sun mourned.  The stars grieved.  The waves raged.  The winds roared.  The earth squalled from her deep.  

The Creator of the universe, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, my Lord hung on a cross on the hill of Calvary, His body illuminated by the fire-lit torches below.  He looked up to God and cried, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” That is to say, My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)  In that moment, a black hole of anguish, a boundless depth of despair fell on our Savior. A moment in darkness.  A moment endured out of love.  A moment endured for me and for you.

Just as immeasurable was His lament, so was His love.  He was forsaken for us, bearing our iniquities. 

“Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil Scripture), “I thirst.”  A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to His mouth.” -John 19:28-29  
And then He cries out one last time.  

“It is finished.” -John 19:30

And He yielded up His spirit.  The earth shook.  The temple curtain was torn.  There was no longer a veil between God and man.  Death was conquered.

It wasn’t just any Friday, it was the Friday that the price for all was paid.  A ransom for the sins mankind.  It was the Friday the battle over sin was won. 

And in 3 days, the Son will Rise.

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