The Rooted Cross

Good Friday...I have to admit, this is a day I really struggle to get through. As a pastor, there are so many responsibilities on this day, so many things to do. You are trying to be present for the darkness of this day, but the reality is, you are also trying to keep your soul in a space where you can sermon-prep, worship-prep, activity-prep for all the really hope-ful and joy-ful events of Resurrection reality on Sunday. Yet, my soul is heavy. I can feel it as I hastily run from one thing to the next. With the barrage of questions that always come my way, I can feel my patience are short and my shoulders hunch.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? The words of David from Psalm 42 echo in my mind and heart.

But, I know the answer to that question. It's Good Friday. It's the darkest day of the year...the day we remember the death of our Lord. My soul is grieving. My heart is breaking. My mind is trying to avoid the reality...Jesus is dying on the cross. He is being beaten, he is being nailed, the crown of thorns is pressing on his brow. He is struggling to breathe...and so am I. I can feel the tears constantly welling at the edges of my eyes. I find myself among the women huddled around Mary at the foot of the cross. Helpless and in shock...we weep. I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry, Jesus...we failed you. My sin, along with countless others...holds you there.

But Jesus didn't fail us. He drank the cup...he bore the cross...he took our sin upon himself and paid the price for our reconciliation. Thanks be to God!

Jesus rooted us to Himself in the cross. He made the way for our salvation and our life. The question is...we will be rooted in Jesus? Will we receive Jesus' grace for our sin? Will we choose to make Jesus Lord of our lives?

On this, the darkest of days, remember your roots in Jesus...you are so deeply loved.