He is risen!

Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " Matthew 27:39-43

As it rightfully should, the resurrection day of our Savior always cultivates fluctuating emotions in me. Part of me wants to weep uncontrollably, the other part wants to shout for joy. Part of me is ashamed of my sin, the other part feels prized beyond measure that Christ actually died for them. Love, righteousness, humility--exemplified to the highest degree in the form of God's son on the cross. I am in awe.

Though I am in no way undermining these qualities, I was impacted most today not by Christ's love, righteousness, or even humility in suffering on the cross, but by his obedience to remain there. How quickly he could've called upon the Father to redeem him from this responsibility. He had access to the creator of the universe, to ultimate redemption, yet remained. He stayed put.

Judas betrayed.
Peter denied.
Thomas doubted.
Christ OBEYED.

My prayer is that we would be more like Christ and not only be made loving, humble, and holy in his sight, but that we would be obedient to his commands and his calling, despite the cost.


He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Matthew 28:6