Last night, after a beautiful Maundy Thursday service at Christ Church, we all as a group walked around the Old City, past the Kidron valley and up to the Mount of Olives. It was a solemn yet beautiful walk, the light of stars above and twinkling lights of city below, everyone silent remembering that night when Jesus prayed, and wept, was betrayed. Yet amidst the darkness, and the appearant hopelessness of it all, Jesus did not flinch...though he could have stopped the whole thing with a word. Yet he "for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Strong as the darkness of that night was, there was a joy that was stronger! And it was the joy that through this death, those he loved who were far might be brought near by his blood. Those who were stained with sin and shame would be presented blameless to the Father in the light of his righteousness. That in this darkest moment would shine such a light that would never be put out, "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Cor. 4). And that through his blood we would be redeemed, and that when we stand overwhelmed in the depths of his mercy we would praise him as our king.

This quote kept coming to my mind, and I think it's such a powerful reminder of how deceptive the circumstances this world can be! That no matter what happens or what darkness seems to reign, that God is sovereign,he is always good, his faithfulness endures forever and forever he shall be our king.

"When Christ uttered, in the judgment hall of Pilate, the remarkable words, "I am a king," he pronounced a sentiment fraught with unspeakable dignity and power. His enemies might deride his pretensions and express their mockery of his claim, by presenting him with a crown of thorns, a reed and a purple robe, and nailing him to the cross; but in the eyes of unfallen intelligences, he was a king. A higher power presided over that derisive ceremony, and converted it into a real coronation. That crown of thorns was indeed the diadem of empire; that purple robe was the badge of royalty; that fragile reed was the symbol of unbounded power; and that cross the throne of dominion which shall never end."
-JL Reynolds