Easter Mattersনমুনা

Written by Wes Chia - Project Manager

Have you ever walked outside and noticed an eerie change in the light, perhaps as a storm approaches or during a bushfire? There is a sense of foreboding, heightened alertness or even fear as you watch on. Have you ever experienced an unusual event that seems strangely significant?

In today's reading there is supernatural darkness and a supernatural event does happen as Jesus hangs on the cross.

When Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, He asked the Father to remove the ‘cup’ from Him. Luke tells us He was in agony — even to the point of sweating great drops of blood. Jesus on the cross is the pinnacle moment of His obedience to the Father as He drinks the cup of God’s wrath for us. The whole cosmos is shrouded in darkness as if a silent witness to the enormity of what was happening.

As Jesus drank this cup, the curtain in the temple — the curtain that was a physical barrier to the place where God dwelt, the Holy of Holies— was torn from top to bottom. This supernatural sign was an indicator that Jesus’ work was finished. The way is now open for us to dwell in God’s presence. Once all was completed, Jesus gave up His own spirit and breathed His last breath.

The centurion, the crowds and the women who were gathered around Jesus, all understood in part what was happening but we have the privilege of knowing the full significance of Jesus' death for all. Let that help us to draw near and worship.

Today ponder this:

Meditate on the enormity of what Jesus did on the cross by drinking the cup of God’s wrath for us. Consider its implications for our sin and for a world in darkness and rebellion against Him.