Thank You Jesus

Wednesday, April 16th
Thank you Jesus
Nicole Goddard

Here it is Wednesday of Holy Week, and the exuberant welcome of Jesus on Palm Sunday is now sobered by his journey to the cross. We’re inching closer to Friday and I can experience so many emotions of anger, awe, heartbreak and gratitude within just a verse or two.

In today’s reading we see the unlikeliest unity of both Jewish and Roman leaders over the most feeble charges against Jesus. That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies. Luke 23:12. As I read, I feel intense anger fueled over the injustice of their claims, and the way these Roman rulers would ultimately concede to the mob’s cries.

I feel awe, that in spite of the humiliation and pain, Jesus could continue to choose submission to the plan. Feelings of awe that he would lay down his own life, in order to have eternity with you and I.

Heartbreak. Oh the betrayal Jesus would feel, as the leaders questioned him and the crowd taunted him. And yet, he would still look at them all with love.

But the most overwhelming feeling of all is gratitude. Gratitude that our savior could see past the betrayal, the pain, the humiliation and his personal preservation. He could have relented the resurrection plan due to any of these things, but he didn’t.

He’ll press forward to the cross full of love and determination to conquer death. He’ll do this with you and I on his mind. His cost was worth all the gain.

Thank you Jesus. Thank you.