Holy Week Devotional – Semper Reformanda

Mourning into Joy | Easter Sunday: Dawn of an Indestructible Joy | Holy Week | Devotional Series | Part 9 of 10

The Cross has been described in many ways. In its most popular interpretations, it is either seen as a symbol of God’s love or as the symbol of our sins. Both are right. But I don’t want to focus on either of the two. Today, I want to focus on what the Cross does for us. I want to focus on the verb not the noun.

Jesus explained, I’ll be gone for a while – I’ll have to endure death and suffering. But after that will come a joy – a joy incomparable, inextinguishable, a joy that is indestructible – a joy that satisfies – a joy that grants life to the lifeless – that turns our sorrows into a God honoring bliss. (John 16:16-24) Jesus was talking about the joy of salvation. I love it how Tony Reinke puts it into words. He writes,

“Jesus went to the cross for joy: to buy joy, create joy, and offer joy.” (pg. 99)

He carried all that we would suffer to the Cross – with great agony, and returned to grants us an everlasting joy. Jesus’ words were true for the disciples. And it is true for us too. As the Apostle notes, though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. (1 Peter 1:8, ESV) But what is this joy? As Jesus Himself puts it, it is the joy of being born again. It is the joy of being free from sin and death. And this is what Easter Sunday confirms us – that this is the joy made available by Christ, for you and me. Jesus instructs, ask and the Father will give you – this joy that on one can take away.

Dear readers, I know we read about this joy a lot. I am not the first person to talk about it. And neither will I be last. But every time we are reminded of this joy – we tend to jump on it overlooking our pain and our ailments. And that just does not seem right. A joy that comes from ignoring our ills is never permanent. And I believe that is not what Jesus was talking about too. Because the joy that Christ grants is a joy that turns our sorrows, our ills, and our mourning into God exalting praises. What the resurrection grants you and me is the opportunity to turn our sorrows into joy, our mourning into joy, our pain into joy, our sickness into joy, our worries, our anxieties, our heartbreaks, our guilt – all into joy. Therefore, an empty grave no longer holds Jesus’ body, because Christ left it as the grave of our sins. So, dear reader… whatever troubles you today, I pray let’s take it to the LORD and let Him turn it all into an all satisfying, and God glorifying joy. To God be the Glory.

… wishing you and your family a blessed Easter Sunday.

Series Index: (1) Introduction: Why Observe the Holy Week (2) Palm Sunday: Sovereign Mercy (3) Holy Monday: Tough Love (4) Holy Tuesday: Who do we say this Jesus is (5) Spy Wednesday: The Temptation of Worldly Logic (6) Maundy Thursday: Jesus, Truly Human, for You and Me (7) Good Friday: I Find No Fault in this Man (8) Holy Saturday: Silent Prelude

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Mourning into Joy | Holy Saturday: Silent Prelude | Holy Week | Devotional Series | Part 8 of 10

By the time Jesus was crucified, His innocence was evident. The witness at the Cross exclaimed, indeed He was truly the son of God. While the fervent accusers, shook in remorse, and went home only to escape the unpleasant sight. At a distance, the women patrons of Jesus stood, afraid – weeping from afar. But amidst all this, I am not sure why the whereabouts of Jesus’ disciples aren’t mentioned. Whatever the reason may be – I can attest one thing for sure – they were all caught in a grip of fear and uncertainty.

I suppose, the day between the death and resurrection must be a cold – silent one. I imagine the disciples mourning over their guilt; having rejected Christ. I believe at this point they knew Jesus was Christ, the Messiah – whom they had completely overlooked for a worldly king. These are all my minuscule, and perhaps worthless speculations of what events must have painted this particular day. But I know one thing for sure – I know how guilt feels – I know how it feels to be cold, and lonely – to feel like you’ve driven yourself too far away from God. And although, this is an awful experience… it also means two things. One, the silence never lasts. And two, there is always a dawn of immeasurable joy awaiting. The Apostle Paul wrote:

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Cor 4:17, NLT)

Yes. The day before the resurrection must have been awful for the disciples. But that lasted only a day. Yet on the other hand, the glory that Christ revealed on the next day – will now last forever. I believe, the only reason why the scriptures seem to suggest, the disciples receding into fear is to encourage us. God knows that his later generations of followers like you and me will also face such unfortunate days. So, when that day comes, we now not only have teachings on why to persist, but also a reasonably documented event as an example, as to why we should persist.

Dear readers, I understand there are many times when our guilt overpower us. When we hate ourselves, and believe we are unworthy of any kind of love and care. But I want to encourage you, reminding you of the disciples’ darkest days, that we should use these moments to grow stronger in faith. Because God is faithful. He will never leave you nor forsake you. And most probably, the silent – guilt-ridden days might just be a prelude, to a dawn of glorious eternal life. To God be the Glory.

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Mourning into Joy | Good Friday: I Find No Fault in this Man | Holy Week | Devotional Series | Part 7 of 10

I find Pilate’s declaration of Jesus’ innocence quite intriguing. Why would YHWH require a man’s institution declare Him innocent? Considering, the kind of humiliation that would entail. I mean, wasn’t the cross enough? Why put Jesus through the avoidable humiliation?! But the more I inquire, the more I grow in love with the fact that Christ endured all this – not just knowingly, but also willingly.

So many Christians around the world will hear their pastors preach the Cross to them today. And that is absolutely essential. But me, I can’t help but be moved by this little exchange Jesus had with Pilate. So, in this insignificant humble little blog of mine, I wish to devote some words dwelling on that.

Jesus was subjected to a human judiciary system. I believe, that in itself is a humiliation – unbearable; considering Jesus to be an equal head of the triune God who is sovereign. But not just that, the subjugation did not proceed from accusation and straight to the Cross. No. Jesus was put through every minute of what entails – the most gruesome dealing a judiciary system could enforce. Apart from this, it is also worth noting, He had no friends or followers devoted to Him at this point. Jesus was abandoned, both socially and later, spiritually (Matt 27:46). I believe it is very important for us to know – Jesus suffered the Cross absolutely alone. Now in the backdrop of this context, I want us to revisit Pilate’s declaration.

Why was this needed?

The reason, I (apparently) believe is to inform us, through all conceivable medium that Jesus died sinless – true to His nature – an innocent man – for our sins. Because the judiciary system of God requires the blood of the lamb to declare us innocent, as Jesus was declared innocent. Because only the blood of the lamb can wash us anew. Because only the blood of the lamb can make us holy.

Dear reader, one day – as Jesus was judged by the law of man, we will be judged by the law of God. And on that day – our only fighting chance to be declared innocent is if we are washed in the blood of the lamb. The only way, we will be declared innocent is if we are cloth in His righteousness. The Apostle Paul so aptly put this in words.

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Cor 5:21, NLT)

The only way we could be made right with God is through Christ. And the only reason we could come through Christ is because of Good Friday. It is because on this day, Jesus knowingly and willingly, put Himself through man’s judgement to fulfill the wrath of God. So that one day, you and I could stand as innocent as Him, when God’s judgement comes to pass. Therefore Paul confirmed, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1) How wonderful is that… Jesus died an innocent man so that you and I could be declared innocent. Because it is only His righteousness that grants us salvation. To God be the Glory.

I hope everyone is safe and quarantined. Let us use this self-isolation period to grow more in faith – to spend more alone time in the Word of God. I wish you and your family a very blessed Good Friday. I hope and pray that the joy of salvation be thoroughly renewed this season – in your life, and in the life of your loved ones. Shalom!

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