Great Friday

Be not deceived, Wormwood, our cause is never more in jeopardy than when a human, no longer desiring but still intending to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe in which every trace of him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.--The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis

At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 (NLT)

Then Jesus shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" And with those words he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 (NLT)

I read the quote from C.S. Lewis the other day and it shook me to the core. It is, of course, written from the perspective of an older demon, Screwtape, giving instruction to a younger demon in training, Wormwood. The "Enemy" to whom he refers is in fact God. I read it, thinking of myself and how it applies to my life. Serving God, trusting God, even loving God, when, at times, everything around me, and in me, tells me to do otherwise. Then my thoughts turned to my Lord on the cross, and how He must have felt the same way. Probably even more so.

I can get so demanding with God. When things get tough. Like He owes me something. But then I have to remind myself of the King of Glory, who spared not His very life, but gave Himself up, poured Himself out as an offering, so that we all might have life and have it to the full. Nobody had more rights than He. Nobody had more authority than He. And yet, He gave up His rights, and gave it all back to God. All to save a dying world. A worthy cause? I think so.

Lord, help me to do the same. On this holy day, and every day forward.

Praise His name.