Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Dispel Disappointment

As Mary traversed the rocky terrain leading to Jesus' crucifixion, questions concerning His suffering jolted her heart and mind. Her preconceptions of how Messiah would save His people from oppression hardly matched what unfolded during the arduous days we now celebrate as Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Mary's disappointment and grief numbed her as she observed Jesus' torture.

Why did it happen that way? Why didn't He just call down heaven's troops and overthrow his opponents? Why didn't He vindicate Himself?

Sometimes, we read God's inklings of the future like Rorschachs, making their pieces fit our best longings. That's quite possibly what Mary did as she waited for Jesus to reveal Himself as Israel's Messiah, for she had expected a throne, not a cross; vindication, not death. She had misinterpreted how God would save.

Like her, at times we miscalculate how God is going to intervene. Our why's jolt us to consider that God does not always act according to our best hopes. But, when we unpretentiously rely on God's wisdom and our relationship with the risen Christ, we learn to reinterpret setbacks and heart wrenching disappointment with the truth. God's ways are beyond our understanding.

Even after three days, there might not be a clear answer. However, a new glimpse that our Savior suffers with us and also triumphs over suffering, reintroduces the Prince of Peace as a faithful companion. We discard grave clothes, link arms to steady us on uneven terrain, and smile into Jesus' eyes. Each glimpse of glory dispels disappointment and we discover new power to trust God's ways. 

After all, our Savior knows what He's doing. 

For Your Consideration

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV).

As you meditate on Jesus' death for the world, what might the Holy Spirit reveal about God's ways? Are there implications you can draw for your own circumstances?

How did Jesus arm Himself against why's and what-if's?