And On the Second Day …

Galatians 3:13-14 (NIV)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Read along with John 13 through John 19.

I am heading back in time, sitting on the side of the hill of the crucifixion watching the sun set Friday evening after having witnessed (like a fly on the wall) the events of the last 24 hours. The words which follow can only hint at what is churning in my soul.

The crosses are gone now. All the bodies have been taken down and laid in their graves in accordance with Deuteronomy 21:23. The air is still and quiet. I can hear the murmuring down there in the city. Some people are trying to make sense out of what just happened. Some are hiding in fear. Others are carrying on with business as usual.

Yesterday at this time, I was in the Upper Room watching the Last Supper (John 13). Jesus' final teachings were being heard and remembered. The words were reaching the disciples' minds, but were not penetrating their hearts and souls. His teachings have just begun to penetrate my own.

"This bread is my body…" Then he dipped a piece of it, handed it to Judas and sent him on his way to do what must be done. Oh, the looks on the other disciples faces. Dumfounded. Confused. Scared. I could hear what they were whispering.

After the Seder, they sat and listened to more teaching (John 14). "I am the way, the truth, and the life…" Then we headed down the stairs and out in to the night (John 15). "I am the vine…"

As we walked through town, we heard a woman giving birth. And just as a woman's anguish is forgotten the moment she gives birth, so will our sorrow turn to joy (John 16). Right now, the sorrow is overwhelming me. I am weeping uncontrollably. Darkness has returned to Golgotha. The night chill is closing in around me.

And then the prayer in the garden (John 17), the betrayal, the trial, the conviction, the walk up to this hill, the crucifixion, the darkness, the death, the sealing of the tomb. It's too much. I can't take it all in. It is too much to bear.

What does this all mean? What does it mean for me? To be redeemed means to be bought from, to be bought back, to be ransomed. The curse of the Old Covenantal law fell thunderously on the back of Christ. The curse has been absorbed in Him that we may be freed from it and live by faith through Him instead. All my former transgressions have been paid. They are forgotten. I am a free man. I am free to continue to sin, or to turn and follow Him. I am free to love the Lord and love my neighbor, or to turn my adoration toward my self, my accomplishments, my needs, my worldly desires. I am free to take my direction from Him, or from some other worldly modern gods. Sitting here after witnessing all that I have over the last 24 hours, how could I worship anything other than Him? Why do I continue to do a little of both worlds rather than turn my full attention to the One who died for me?

As I continue to learn how to give all I have to Christ, He continues to give all He has to me. The third day is coming. What joy will the Lord bring on that day? I can hardly wait.