Rest Saturday, April 11, 2020
This last cross statement of Jesus Christ offers some beautiful peace in the time of death. It is a sentiment that is nearly echoed by John Wesley as he passed from this life in 1791. Wesley called his family close to him and uttered the words “Best of all, God is with me. Best of all, God is with me.”
While it may seem subtle, there is a beautiful feature to these final words of Christ. As we reflect back on the week, we see how much love Christ has exhibited in His carefully chosen words on this cross. After addressing the fulfillment of the redemption price, Jesus turns to His Father. Remember, His last call to God was not as Father, but as God. The separation created by sin has now departed because the penalty for sin has been paid in full!
This statement that Jesus makes should bring us all a great deal of comfort. Because Jesus took on the penalty for sin on our behalf, we have access to God as Father. Even in the most tender and difficult moment, His presence is here! Jesus’ name was given as “Emmanuel” or “God with us”.
This scene always draws me to the end of the book of Revelation. The intimacy that God shares with Jesus is a picture of His eternal plan for us. Revelation 22 shows us how God wants to be with us for eternity.
“There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and the will not have any need of the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, be cause the Lord God will illumine them; and the will reign forever and ever” Revelation 22.3-5, NASB.
God’s intention is to be with us for eternity. He is making Himself known and fully accessible for all time. This is what is “best of all”, as John Wesley said. God is with us! When Jesus took the wrath of God, God restored His presence to us!
Do you know what the presence of God means? Rest. Rest from your labor and burden. Rest from your sin. Rest from all of your effort to win favor and affection from others and from God. Rest because He is your Father. Rest because He has claimed you as His!
Pray: Best of all, God is with me. Thank you, Jesus, for making this possible. Thank you, Father, for bringing me home to You. Thank You for loving me!
“And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” Luke 23.46, NASB.
While it may seem subtle, there is a beautiful feature to these final words of Christ. As we reflect back on the week, we see how much love Christ has exhibited in His carefully chosen words on this cross. After addressing the fulfillment of the redemption price, Jesus turns to His Father. Remember, His last call to God was not as Father, but as God. The separation created by sin has now departed because the penalty for sin has been paid in full!
This statement that Jesus makes should bring us all a great deal of comfort. Because Jesus took on the penalty for sin on our behalf, we have access to God as Father. Even in the most tender and difficult moment, His presence is here! Jesus’ name was given as “Emmanuel” or “God with us”.
“There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and the will not have any need of the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, be cause the Lord God will illumine them; and the will reign forever and ever” Revelation 22.3-5, NASB.
God’s intention is to be with us for eternity. He is making Himself known and fully accessible for all time. This is what is “best of all”, as John Wesley said. God is with us! When Jesus took the wrath of God, God restored His presence to us!
Do you know what the presence of God means? Rest. Rest from your labor and burden. Rest from your sin. Rest from all of your effort to win favor and affection from others and from God. Rest because He is your Father. Rest because He has claimed you as His!
Pray: Best of all, God is with me. Thank you, Jesus, for making this possible. Thank you, Father, for bringing me home to You. Thank You for loving me!
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