Jesus makes a powerful statement to all who are weary and overburdened with religion to come to Him and He will give eternal rest. Rest and deliverance from the debilitating, destructive forces of evil, death and judgement.
Having the compassion of God, Jesus stepped down into humanity’s darkness and shone His glorious light. He pushed back the darkness of false belief and religious striving, bringing revelation to the work of God and revealing His glorious light.
God the Father’s desire is that no one should perish. So Jesus came from the Father’s heart to us. To open the way for eternal salvation and healing – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The destructive powers that death, evil and selfish desires had over humanity, needed to be broken so Jesus gave His life.
At the empty tomb opposites collide. Earth and heaven, darkness and light, mourning and gladness, hate and love, temporary and eternal. Let us go back in time, to that moment at the empty tomb. Just two days ago they had crucified our Lord.
At the cross opposites collide. Earth and heaven, death and life, humanity and God, shame and honour, bondage and freedom, suffering and salvation. Let us go back in time, to that moment at the cross. It is Friday. Today is preparation day, the day before Passover.
In the garden opposites collide. Earth and heaven, evil and good, humanity and God, self will and God’s will, bondage and freedom, surrender and victory. Let us go back in time to that moment in the garden at the foot of the mountain.
The first sign that John includes to reveal that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God is an event that celebrates relationships. A wedding where family and friends are invited. Into a culture of traditions, customs and social structure Jesus walks in.
Jesus knows His time has come to leave this world and return to God the Father. He will carry the full force of human brokenness, depravity and shame. Suffer public humiliation, torture and pain. Through a total violation of all cultural boundaries He was about to demonstrate the love of the servant king.
As day comes before night, revelation comes before application. Jesus reveals both the pathway of the Christ and for those who choose to follow Him. Jesus says, ‘follow me to my cross and you will see the glory of the Lord.’ Follow the pathway of sonship and see the glory of the Lord in Jesus.
We live in a world driven by self will. Humanity’s self will is to oppress others, so that self can be raised up. To take from others, so that self will receive. To shame others, so that self will be honoured. Humanity’s self will or flesh cries out, ‘someone has to pay for all this injustice.’ Behold the man!