October 15, 2010
Central Truth
Even as Jesus was dying, He loudly proclaimed His trust and surrender to God.
And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." Having said this, He breathed His last. (Luke 23:46)
44 It was now about the sixth hour, 1 23:44 That is, noon and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 2 23:44 That is, 3 p.m. 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 3 23:54 Greek was dawning 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Amazing. Even as Jesus takes His last breath, He humbly surrenders Himself to God. The result? Jesus conquers death and makes possible the forgiveness of sins! How amazing is our God! He turns darkness and death into life! Somehow, it is so much harder to remember God's goodness and power in my own life.
After much prayer and consideration, I quit my job last summer only to find my new career path at a dead end. I tried to return to my previous career, but once again I found nothing. So frustrating!
Through this situation, however, God showed me what it means to trust and surrender each day to Him. I do not think it means faking happiness, pretending I'm not frustrated when I am, or mustering up my strength and just "powering through" the darkness.
The Apostle Paul said he rejoices in suffering because in Christ "when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10) I do not know that I can honestly say I am "rejoicing" over my job situation. But I do find a strange peace and strength when I prayerfully give each day to God. I think trusting God means continually turning my life and will over to Him whether circumstances appear good, bad, or ugly.
I am also learning that the more I trust God, the more I can see examples of His work in my life. Just in the last few years, God has brought me out of an eating disorder. Without God, I would not have been able to overcome it. Even in my current situation, I can see how God is giving me compassion to care for others in need. Moreover, I feel God is showing me that trust in money is empty and misplaced.
Truthfully, I don't know all the ways God will use my current situation for good, but I trust that He can because even in His Son's death, we know He plans redemption for us all.
1. Where do you place your hope?
2. Does your life reflect a peace found in trusting God (Isaiah 26:3)?
3. How can you be content in any and every situation (Hint: Philippians 4:11-13)?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What do we learn about Joseph in verses 50 and 51? Joseph was at the council meeting when Jesus was sentenced to die, how does it say that he felt about this decision? What did he go to Pilate and ask for?
2. Have you ever had to wait through a hard circumstance to see the good come out of the bad? (What man means for evil, God works for good.) Tune in tomorrow to see the good that Joseph got to see!