We have uncountable reasons for thankfulness. Out of the darkness we see the light of Jesus Christ; out of death we are able to know true and everlasting life. Having gone to the Mount of Olives after having eaten the Passover Meal with His disciples, Jesus prayed. He knew what was to come; He knew the agony of the cross; He knew the weight of bearing our sins. He prayed, “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22.42). Jesus in full submission to the Father was willing to face the cruelty of what was to come. A seeming friend, turned betrayer, led soldiers to arrest him. He was taken to Pilate for trial, and then to Herod, and then back to Pilate to be sentenced to death. Though having no sin, though never doing anything deserving death, Jesus was condemned to death by crucifixion. He gave Himself; He didn’t resist; He didn’t argue the injustice which was to take place. He willingly was nailed to the cross and hung to die. He did not complain. “And there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour… And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out in a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ And having said this he breathed his last” (23.44-46). Finished!
Atonement for our sin was complete in the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus. The curtain of the Temple was torn in two, and we gained access to the Throne Room of God. The once for all sacrifice for our sin was made; our redemption was secured by the shed blood of Jesus Christ; we have been fully justified through His substitutionary work; we have been established absolutely clean, completely forgiven of all sin; we have been then adopted into the family of the Eternal God. Though the day of crucifixion was seen as a dark day, the day of resurrection brought absolute victory over sin and death; from the darkness came the abundance of light and the gift of salvation. In Christ, we have uncountable reasons for thankfulness.
Redeemed with hope – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 