Hope In Dark Times

Darkness.

It was over the land.

“And about the ninth hour
Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying,
‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is,
‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’”
Matthew 27:46

As He hung on the cross, Jesus quoted from Psalm 22 which prophesied His death. The people nearby would say He was calling for Elijah; would fill a sponge with sour wine. But it wouldn’t be the last time Jesus cried out. Matthew 27:50 says,

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice,
and yielded up His spirit.”

It makes me think of childbirth. He cried out, yielded up His spirit, and birthed things that have no rival. Let’s look at a few:

• The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
  We gained access to God through the only mediator, Jesus Christ.

• The earth quaked.
  Everything was shaken up. Heaven and earth would never be the same, as salvation was made possible through His blood for all who trust in Him for the cleansing of sin.

• Rocks were split.
  When we cry out to God in the hard things, He can strike and bring life and wonder from anything. Nothing is too hard for Him, including human hearts..

• Graves were opened.
  Jesus would triumph in resurrection as He gave a deathblow to death itself.

• Those guarding Him declared Him the Son of God.
  When God opens our eyes to see who Jesus is, He gives the right to become children of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, to serve Him here and gain eternal life.

Lord, thank You for birthing such wonder! Please birth wonders from our darkest seasons. Only You can pierce through our hardships and bring hope and light for Your glory.