Well, she got me.
Jesus suffered and died for my sins. And yeah, I could probably use another look at it through the eyes of Mary to appreciate it in a different light.
Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
Again, I love how the author incorporates her knowledge of Israel's temple rituals and sacrifices that gives the reader a deeper understanding. I can close my eyes and imagine the smells and the smoke. I can hear the choir sing the psalm. I can see Jesus fulfilling the purpose of why they were doing what they were doing.
Love was what was happening on the cross outside of Jerusalem - love for a world of sinners who had been made a promise at the dawn of time. (129)
I once again consider what it meant that Jesus did all that he did.
When God looked at Jesus on the cross, he didn't see his beloved Son. He saw sin piled upon sin, guilt piled up on guilt, a stinking refuse of wrongdoing accumulated from the beginning to the end of time. And so God turned his back on his Son and unleashed hell. (130)
And I am overwhelmed.
My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
Even as he was abandoned by his Father, even as he paid for a crime he didn't commit, Jesus still clung to God with perfect trust and still loved him with all his heart, soul and mind: "Though I cannot even call you Father, yet you are my God!" (130)
Through a mother's eyes. Who can imagine?
I am thirsty
Such a basic necessity but nevertheless, one that this mother could not provide. But now her son, the source of the living water of eternal life, was thirsty, and Mary could no help.
*would he have had a fever or been sick during his earthly life? This struck me and I wonder ... Still, the point is still there.
It is finished
Jesus' work of salvation is complete: there is not one good deed we can add to it. Jesus has fully paid our debt: there is not one nickel we can offer. The world's refuse of sin has been carried from God's sight: there is no a single damning spot of guilt over which we need to beg, "Out! Out!" When God looks at us now, he doesn't see sin upon sin, guilt upon guilt. He sees his perfect Son. (132)
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit
What comfort in the face of death are offered here on these pages. Our eternity is sure and our place there is certain. We also have real comfort to give to our children when it's time to talk with them about death. We don't have to make this stuff up in order for them to feel better! The truth of what Jesus has done makes us feel better!
Signs and wonders
All meant to teach us an important lesson - that Christ has triumphed over the grave! We, too will rise again!
Mothering like Mary
While passing through my Facebook feed yesterday, there was a letter someone had "liked". It was a goodbye letter from a dying woman to her friends and loved ones. It was witty and humorous despite the serious nature. It was honest. But my heart broke for her and the husband and daughter she left behind. Not just because she was dying but because she was dying without the assurance of Jesus as her Saviour. She pleaded with her friends not to fill her daughter's mind with images of her "looking down on them" or as an angel. She especially didn't want them telling her that mommy was in heaven. Then her daughter would think she left purposely to be someplace better. And in her mind, there was no other place better than on this earth with her family. In her mind, there was no heaven anyway.
I am so thankful that Lisa was willing and able to share her story before passing away. May God continue to be with the family she's left behind temporarily. May they be comforted knowing she is in a better place with Jesus. They will see her again in heaven!
Ponder
Are you ever tempted to find the cross of Jesus boring? Is your child? What's the solution? First of all, yes - and I am ashamed. I am also repentant and lay my sins of apathy at the cross of Jesus. I look to him to strengthen me in my faith and help me see it with fresh eyes and new appreciation! As far as a solution or ideas for helping a child -There are many things in our worship life that remain constant for good reason - our liturgy, the church year, celebrations, etc. But I also like to bring in different ways to try to keep it new in the way I present the information. Maybe I'll use a new Bible story book with pictures, a new Advent or Lenten devotional, a new song to learn and memorize. I'll add some colouring pages, a game, a new curriculum. Usually if I'm craving a change, they are too!
*if you know a woman with cancer, contact the Comforter Ministry - A mission of comfort and compassion, reaching out to women with cancer with God's Word and the love of the Comforter through journals and quilts.
2 comments:
Thank you, Rachel, for your honesty about finding the cross of Christ boring. As a sister in Christ, I rejoice with you that you are forgiven! I think the temptation of boredom might be one that Satan uses frequently against those who have grown up in the faith. I admit that sometimes when I am reading or listening to a sermon, and we come to a part about Jesus dying on the cross to save us from our sins (which I’ve heard at least weekly since I was born, thanks be to God) my eyes involuntarily glaze over. But I do find that when I am steeped in God’s word on a daily basis (not just hearing/reading it, but applying/meditating/contemplating and letting it sink in), the beauty of the simple truths is more likely to thrill, rather than bore me. This is not to suggest that you, Rachel, are somehow unfaithful in your study of God’s word. I don’t believe that for a second. I just think that nurturing our faith through the means of grace is an important tool in resisting temptation – right along with the repentance and prayer you talked about.
Evaluating Lisa’s comment about keeping our eyes on Jesus being “no different” when one is dying than in anyone’s daily life: This was a comment that stuck out for me on my first read-through. I can’t say I’ve ever been preparing for imminent death like Lisa was, but I tend to think that she’s right. We all have competing priorities, many of which are urgent or time-sensitive. Whether we envision our life stretching out for many seasons ahead of us or we believe our remaining time on earth is numbered in months, weeks, or days, the Christian is likely tempted to think, “I know where I’m going when this is all over, and I’m grateful for that. Now on to these urgent tasks and pressing issues…” Then again, we could spend all our time on Bible study and prayer, to the neglect of the work God has prepared for us to do during our time on earth. Like most everything in life, this is a balancing act. And I think this is maybe what Lisa was referring to. Whether we have a lot of time or a little, there is always a balance to maintain.
I do not think we should avoid talking to children about death. It is the door to eternity – the eternity Jesus won for us, and that which our entire lives look forward to!
That comment of Lisa's struck me, too! It doesn't seem to matter all that much what our circumstances are when it comes to keeping our eyes on Jesus. Like you said - we all have competing priorities. Although I can't help but think she's got a perspective that we don't have - making the most of the time she has left, looking for opportunities to have deep conversations with her children, trusting in God that he will take care of her family when she's gone. Quality, not quantity.
Always a balance to maintain, indeed!
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