Thank you for the Cross!

Today is Good Friday and this morning Erin and I went to a city-wide church service to celebrate this significant day. It was cool to sit among the 1400+ people in the field house at G.R Pearkes and just celebrate Jesus. It was cool because it brought together His people from all backgrounds and denominations. It was cool because the worship was good. Most of all it was cool because we were there to celebrate
FREEDOM, FORGIVENESS and GRACE!

One of our local pastor's Neil Blackstock shared about the pain that Jesus must have endured...I get a headache I take a pill...Jesus took it full on...no Advil, no morphin, no tears!

Why? Why?

Well not long before His death, Jesus pulled his buddies, the disciples, aside and offered a bit of an explanation as to why when He said "...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). Mark 10:45 says something similar. So in my lingo...Jesus took it for the team. He paid my fees.

So we are covered by the blood of Christ and free from sin and guilt. I am a new creation in Christ! So...it's all good but...

Now...I look around (including in the mirror) and wonder...was His death all in vain?

You hear stats like only 20% of Canadians attend church on Sunday even less at 5% in Victoria. It must break His heart...it breaks mine (good blog topic for another time).

BUT it's even more personal that that. This is the mirror part...I heard the lyrics in one of the worship songs in the service...it was something like "I honour Him in all that I do". I was embarrassed to sing this and tears streamed down my cheeks.

I can't say I honour Him in all I do and still be honest. How many times in my life have I turned my back and made my choice and not His? Forget in my life...what about today...how many times today?

God...some days I don't get it...I don't get how you can extend you GRACE and MERCY the way you do. The pain we cause must take you right back to seeing your son Jesus, writhing in pain and bleeding out on the cross. You desire so much for us and we fall short...you knew that though...

Help me God to see the cross every day in every thought just as it was then! Steel shanks driven through Jesus' hands, and His side pierced . Help me God to see the cross every day in every thought just as it is today...EMPTY...so I can live free.



The lyrics of this worship song say it much more eloquently than I ever could.

And once again I look upon the cross where you died I'm humbled by your mercy and I'm broken inside Once again I thank you Once again I pour out my life.