We were tuning in to a live-streamed service this morning, and the church leader was recounting the increased safe distancing measures in Singapore:
First it was gathering no more than 250 people.
Then no more than 10.
Then stay home.
Interact only with your household members.
At this point, my husband responded cheekily with,
“Next is stay in your own room and talk only with God.”
This reminded me of Jesus’ ministry and journey to the cross.
Crowds followed Jesus during his ministry.
Crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem.
On Thursday, Jesus was left only with his 12 disciples.
And in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus had 3 with him, supposedly to keep watch and pray. But they fell asleep.
In the garden, Jesus was alone with his Father, asking for the cup to be taken away from him, if it is possible. Yet not as he will, but as his Father will.
Then came Jesus’ arrest. And all the disciples deserted him and fled. Peter followed him at a distance, but eventually denied and disowned Jesus as well.
Finally, on this day, ‘Good Friday’, we recall:
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?“)
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
Jesus was alone, really alone. Not even God his Father was with him, for Jesus had borne all our sins upon himself. And sin separates one from the holy God.
During this period of circuit breaker’s measures, where each household is to stay at home at all times and to go out only when absolutely necessary, many may feel stifled and cooped up. Those who are staying on their own may feel an increased sense of loneliness. Families with loved ones stricken by the virus and other life-threatening illnesses in critical conditions are going through a deep sense of anxiety and fear. Families who recently lost their loved ones are still in deep grief.
What’s so good about Good Friday?
While we may feel alone, we are never truly alone, unlike Jesus, when he died on the cross – for the sins of the whole humanity.
Jesus died so that we need not be alone. He died to bring us back to God the Father, who desires for all of us to return to Him.
Jesus has paved the way for us. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one goes to the Father except through Him.
Jesus died that we might live – in Him, through Him, for Him.
Would you spend some time alone with God today?
Before the world began You were on His mind And every tear you cry Is precious in His eyes Because of His great love He gave His only Son Everything was done So you would come Nothing you can do Could make Him love you more And nothing that you've done Could make Him close the door Because of His great love He gave His only Son Everything was done So you would come Come to the Father Though your gift is small Broken hearts, broken lives He will take them all The power of the Word The power of His blood Everything was done So you would come
WEH PSALMS 