Great Is Thy Faithfulness

It is so sweet to me that the Lord chose the first full week in our new home to be Holy Week. What a clear reminder to keep our eyes fixed on the Main Thing and to remind us that a house and all the pretty things that fill it are just that: things.

As I have reflected on Holy Week, the Lord has brought the faithfulness of Jesus to my mind several times. I often listen to Sinclair Ferguson's sermons online and searched through the archives this week to prepare my mind and heart for Easter. With Jesus in the Upper Room is a great one and explains Jesus' last meal with His disciples and tells of His unconditional love for them... until the very end of his life (John 13:1). The final hours of Jesus' life are so tragic, but so symbolic of His sinless, faithful life. I am amazed at His steadfastness until the bitter end. 

Jesus makes His triumphal entry into the city on Palm Sunday, eats the Last Supper with His disciples on Maundy Thursday, is crucified on Good Friday, and is resurrected to life on Easter Sunday. An empty tomb. The promise of all promises fulfilled. Our hope and eternity secured. It's a marvelous thing. The whole story of the Bible points to this scene. Old Testament believers prophesied of this moment and longed for this Savior, Jesus, who died and rose again.

This is the Savior, who on Thursday evening, the day before He knew He was going to die, "earnestly desired" to share the Passover meal with His disciples. He had eagerly anticipated eating with them to celebrate the great things God had done for His people. 

Jesus foretold His death and betrayal and was awaiting unjust suffering at the time of this meal. But He was JOYFUL to be with his friends nonetheless. At the table, Jesus has a unique consciousness that the betrayer is present at the supper (Luke 22:21). He had washed the very feet of Judas Iscariot, His friend, and then Judas left the room to betray him.

Jesus then foretells Peter's betrayal. What is happening here? Can you imagine your closest friends turning their back on you EVER much less all within the same hour?? But Jesus, in His perfect holiness, did not get angry with them or beg them to be loyal. He extended grace to each of them. And then He went to the Garden to pray. He was in such agony anticipating His death that He was sweating blood. And even still, He remained in close communion with His Father and prayed.

Betrayed by His disciples, forsaken by His Father, treated as a criminal, crucified by the men He came to save. Yet faithful still.   

Each of these things are powerful in their own right, but when you look at them in light of Jesus' final hours on Earth, it is simply astounding. Jesus knew what Good Friday held for Him and He chose to remain faithful, joyful, prayerful until He surrendered His spirit and proclaimed, "It is finished." (John 19:30)

We will never be able to comprehend what Jesus experienced in those last days and hours of His life. But we CAN follow His example. And, by His grace, we can remain faithful, joyful, and prayerful imitators of Christ no matter what awaits us in this life. 

Happy Easter!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

:::

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!