Devoted to sharing the Word of God - in uplifting, informative and encouraging posts.
" It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63

Friday 10 April 2020

In the Darkness a Light Shineth - Good Friday

Well, this year of 2020 will definitely go down in history, as different!
 A Passover where Jews do not share it with all their family.
 And Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday where we are all at home watching live-stream services. 
However the truth we celebrate is constant and unchanged for all of eternity!!
Heaven and earth will pass away, and yet what Christ wrought on the cross that day on the hill of Golgotha almost 2,000 years ago will NEVER change.
When Christ cried out “IT IS FINISHED” Salvation was bought for all mankind. 
As I thought upon that most dreadful day in history thus far...
when the Son of God, 
the LORD Jesus Christ, the King of Glory 
was rejected of His own people - as they cried "Crucify Him!"..
These verses came to mind.
One is a prophecy written 800 years by Isaiah before Christ’s coming.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:2 

The other is perfected in Christ’s first coming as Saviour of all mankind.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5
Today we may feel in as much darkness as they did back in 33AD approx. They were under strict Roman rule, we are under strict rule as a result of another dilemma, a pandemic.
However there is a greater pandemic, the curse of sin, which Christ cured that day upon the cross, when the True Light of the World defeated the powers of darkness. 
Satan thought he had a great victory when Christ was crucified instead of Barrabas (see passage in Luke here). 
However the victory Satan thought he had won was short lived... as he was to see a few days later.
We need a vaccine to defeat COVID-19, but Christ by His sacrifice provided a vaccine or more truly a way of escape from the eternal punishment of sin, with the gift of eternal life by faith in Him. 
That is far far better than any human vaccine - for it is perfect and eternal!
This verse says that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness comprends it not.
As it was in 1st century AD so it is in 2020. 
God is speaking loudly and clearly - but oh sadly, so many do not hear.
Do not comprehend...
At the crucifixion of Jesus there was darkness for three hours from noon (Jewish time = sixth hour) to 3pm (9th hour). 
A total eclipse it is recorded by historians then.
I wonder what their thoughts were at such a time?
I’m sure fear filled many a heart, and awe. 
Luke 23:33-49
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 
And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 
 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 
And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 
And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Yes, I am certain the same mixed feelings of grief, sorrow,  despair and fear fill many hearts today over current events, especially those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray for these dear folk that they might see the true light.
Let us be found faithful being that true light for Jesus. For He promised,  He will never leave us nor forsake us.
May we never forget the great cost our salvation on that day at Calvary. Our Saviour whose face was more marred than any man (Is.52:14).
Our sin.. He bore it for you and for me. 
Hallelujah! What a Saviour! (Link here also)
This is another hymn by Philip Bliss (short biography here).
Lord bless you all as we meditate upon this, AND rejoice in so great salvation!
Loving prayers, dear ones,
Shaz in Oz.x 🙏🤗

PS . If you haven’t I'd love it you to join as a wonderful encourager of this blog ...  link HERE.  Thank YOU to those who have done so already. It really encourages me to keep on. 😊
If you'd like these posts in your inbox, you can add your email to email link option on side bar. If you're on a mobile device on which there is no sidebar, then scroll down and select "View Web Version" at very bottom of post. This will bring up sidebar and "follow by email" link. Thank YOU

4 comments:

Martha Jane Orlando said...

I love your analogy here, Shaz, comparing the darkness and fear experienced by those disciples so long ago at the crucifixion and the fear so many are experiencing today with this dreaded virus. With you, I'll be praying that the lost souls might come to know Jesus, and experience the peace and joy only He can give.
Happy and Blessed Easter!

Diane Ronzino said...

Shaz, this statement is sad: God is speaking loudly and clearly - but oh sadly, so many do not hear. Do not comprehend...

It is such a Truth. We must continue to pray that veiled eyes would be opened.

Have a wonderful Resurrection celebration! You and Jesus!

kiwimeskreations said...

I 'hear' you Shaz and agree - how many could see this pandemic as God's loving discipline to draw people back to Him?
Prayers indeed in this time for those confused and fearful souls
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Conniecrafter said...

I do hope through all of this that more come to know Jesus as their Savior!