Walk Through Darkness Into the Light
Michael ThroopAll glory, laud, and honor
to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
“All Glory, Laud, and Honor”, arranged by Dan Miller, performed by Garrett Martin
Why would you do this?
Why, of all people God has created, allow yourself to be celebrated, honored, adorned, by the very people you knew would, in a few days, scream for You to be put to death?
You knew … and You allowed events to proceed as You knew they must.
Your arrival was heralded, and throngs wanted to be near You, to experience Your power, to bathe in Your grace. And,You allowed it, on the back of a beast of burden, no less.
Your disciples, those who You had chosen, were caught up in the euphoria of the moment. This was the time a new King would come to save. But You knew their loyalty, and their fealty, would be put to the test, and, yes, they would falter, and fail, and run away. These men, who were at Your side, run away when their personal narrative fails.
This week that starts in light and joy, is soon consumed by darkness as Palm Sunday, with its procession, moves into the Last Supper, and Your exhortation to your disciples to stay with You, for an hour, if not more. They were unable..You had no choice. Even in Your most human moment, when you asked Your Father to allow the cup to pass from You, You knew it must be, “Not My will, but Yours, be done”.
And, still, You were left alone.
Alone, facing Your religious enemies, You quietly stood your ground, and all they could do was turn You over to politicians.. politicians who were reminded, “My Kingdom is not of this world”.
And, all they could do was cower in the sight of the people they supposedly ruled, and turned You over to be crucified.
You endured the walk, carrying your cross for us, to the jeers of those who supposedly were Your followers.
You were hung from Your cross, with common criminals beside You. Even then, You consoled the criminal to Your one side, as he cried:
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43
Few were there to witness Your final human breath, but, even then, those in power had to admit:
“Surely, this was The Son of God”. Mark 15:39
And, one of Your followers offered a gravesite, the single decent thing done for You that entire week.
Then, silence, as You were prepared to complete The Promise.
Easter comes, but, in the beautiful irony, out of eye and earshot of the world, as You came into the world as an infant, You are resurrected! Your disciples learn of Your rising from the women who followed You, and they had to see the Truth for themselves.
You are risen, as you said!
Light shines, as You promised, and as we celebrate with a joy the world needs even more than ever.
We know the Truth. We are Risen, too.
