“At noon, darkness fell on the whole land until three o’clock.” (Matthew 27:45 NLT)
The last few days have been quite dark. In forty years of holy weeks, I’ve never waded through one as stormy as this. It started at sunset as Passover began — the western sky gathered with fury; angry and green. The light show lasted most of the night; thunder shaking the very beams of our home still at dawn. We awoke to flood advisories; five inches of rain had fallen and more was on it’s way.
The sky stayed furrowed through Thursday; rain and thunder rolling like waves as the sun refused to punctured the heavy cloud cover. We made our way to Katy for coffee with friends and nearly washed off the interstate on the way back to Weimar. A long line of cars and trucks with blinking four-ways filled both sides of the freeway; tired folks finding their way home. This morning, it is the same. Even now I hear the rumble of thunder and the sky has opened up multiple times since I climbed out bed.
It feels like the world is weeping and churning in recollection of a crucifixion a couple thousand years ago. This week I have been reading along in all four gospels; considering the anguish of our Savior. My guess is that we’ll all be good and ready for Sunday’s sunshine.
The weather has been disruptive this week, but death is far more destabilizing. We see it in the thieves upon the cross. At noon, the darkness fell and they were confronted with their humanity and criminality in the same breath. From the dark throes of death, they had to decide what to do with Jesus.
“But the other protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to death?” (Luke 23:40 NLT)
The thieves pinned upon their crosses as insects for inspection, forced to decision. In the depths of despair; one chose wisely, the other chose poorly.
At death’s doorstep, I’ve seen it both ways. I’ve been with those who quietly accept His Lordship and succumb to His leadership. I’ve also grieved over those writhing in their bed, refusing divine jurisdiction.
This week’s stormy weather has served to remind me; we get to decide what to do with a Jesus. Will we recognize Him as Lord and King or will we continue to flail on in our faltering flesh? There’s one answer that rescues us from the clutches of death, one answer that ensures of a new life in paradise.
“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” (Luke 23:42 NLT)
When we recognize Christ’s ruling in this life, He remembers us in the next.
Lord, please help us accept our station as subjects sooner than later. We do our souls a great deal of harm as long as we reject to Your rule. You are the Lord our God, King of the Universe and true Monarch of our heart. May we surrender anew today, on this day when You refused to save Yourself because You were intent on saving us. Amen.