Volume 126: Rest in His Love

Good Friday?

Betrayal from a close friend?
Wrongly accused?
Traded for a murderer who deserved to die?
Mocked? Spit on?
Crucified on a cross?

Good Friday?

Good? 

How?

Tiffany having a miscarriage and having to deliver the baby?
Shawn in jeuvy?
Haley's grandmother dying?
Shooting at FSU?

Good God?

Good?

How?

Nobody would argue against the statement that we live in a broken world... Just this week, all of these things occurred to people around me. And so many more that I don't know of...

And yet, this weekend we are reminded of the truth that darkness doesn't win. 
Sin doesn't win. 

"Friday's good cause Sunday's coming."

In checking in on Tiffany this week, she responded something profound, "We've seen so much goodness in the midst of our heartbreak."

Two days after a miscarriage? To be able to make such a statement? 

Good coexisting with heartbreak?

How? 

Only with a hope found in a good and faithful God! What a beautiful perspective.

And a hope that is possible because of Jesus dying on the cross for us. And defeating that death by resurrecting 3 days later.

"Nothing in the earth below or the sky above can stop the march of the plans and purposes of God. Nothing." - Paul David Tripp

Every year, I struggle with Judas's betrayal.. how could he betray Jesus? 

Why did Jesus still wash his feet? 

Why didn't Jesus try to stop him? 

Because Jesus knew He had to die. 

To quote Phil Wickham's song, Sunday Is Coming, again, 

"He knew well what it would take
To free us all from sin and grave
A perfect man would have to die
And only He could pay that price."

Jesus was willing to allow the plan to play out so that I could be saved, freed from my sin. 

And at the end of the day... I'm not that much different than Judas - living in a close relationship with Jesus, yet I often turn from Him and choose things of this world before Him. 

In response to my betrayal, Jesus meets me with grace abounding. Because of the Cross.

Because of the cross!

Because of the empty tomb!

Because Jesus is alive!

Our lives are forever changed!! 

May we not lose sight of what that means for us today and every single day. 

May we be quick to gratitude and humility. 

May we understand the depth and height of the love that God has for us. 

And man, may we rest in the security that His love for us never changes and never could. Even in the moments of questioning His goodness. 

Amen. 

Yesterday, Yellerton and I sat in a theater full of kids watching The King of Kings. A sweet movie, telling the story of Jesus's life, made just for kids!!! Beautiful child-like faith. And a great reminder that the story of Jesus is far from boring! May we be more excited and filled with passion in sharing it with others!

Go Lions!