September 1, 2024 - Matthew 27-28

“When morning came . . .” (27:1).  It was a momentous and sad morning.  The chief priests and the elders came against Jesus, accused him, bound him, and led him away to Pilate.  When I come to this place in the Gospel stories, I always find myself a bit conflicted.  I know how terribly the day unfolds.  I know how the people turned against Jesus and how even his friends and disciples refused to stand for him.  And then, there’s the excruciating pain on the cross, both the physical suffering and the pain of facing his Father’s wrath.  It was a sad, sad day, ending with Jesus’ body lying in a tomb.  But I am reading the story from this side, and I know what’s coming on the first day of the week.  And I know that all this has taken place according to Go’'s plan.  And I know that Jesus laid down his life willingly.  And I know that he did this for me, and for all his people, because of his great love for us.  And I know that, because of his willingness to suffer and die on the cross, he now has a name that is far above all other names and that, one day, every knee will bow before him and acknowledge him as Lord.  That’s the thing; I know the whole story, and the ending is really, really good!

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;

he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave he arose;

with a mighty triumph o’er his foes;

he arose a victor from the dark domain,

and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!   --Robert Lowry (1874)