March 24

Morning

During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. — Heb 5:7 BSB

Did the fear arise from the terrible suggestion that He was utterly forsaken? There may be harder trials, but surely one of the worst is to feel utterly forsaken. “See,” said Satan, “You have no friends anywhere! Your Father has closed His heart of compassion toward You. No angel in heaven will lift a hand to help You. All of heaven has turned its back on You; You are completely alone. Look at Your companions—those with whom You’ve shared sweet fellowship—what are they worth now? Son of Mary, look at Your brother James, look at Your beloved disciple John, and Your bold apostle Peter—see how they sleep, even while You suffer! You have no friends left in heaven or on earth. All hell is against You. I have stirred up every dark power, and I’ve summoned every prince of darkness to attack You tonight. We will spare no effort to overwhelm You. What will You do, You solitary One?”

Perhaps this was the temptation. We think so because an angel appeared to strengthen Him, removing that fear. He was heard in His distress. He was no longer alone, for heaven was with Him. Perhaps this is why He came to His disciples three times, as Joseph Hart put it, “Backwards and forwards thrice He ran—as if He sought some help from man.” He wanted to see for Himself if it was true that everyone had abandoned Him. He found them asleep, but perhaps He took some small comfort in knowing they slept not from betrayal but from sorrow—the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. In any case, He was heard in His fear. And, my soul, you will be heard as well.

Evening

At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. — Luke 10:21 BSB

Though Jesus was “a man of sorrows,” every discerning person knows that deep within His soul, He carried an inexhaustible store of pure, heavenly joy. Of all humans, no one had a deeper, purer, or more enduring peace than our Lord Jesus Christ. He was “anointed with the oil of gladness beyond His companions.” His vast love and kindness, by their very nature, must have brought Him the deepest possible joy—for kindness is joy.

There were moments when this joy shone through. “At that time, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.’” Christ had His moments of song, even though His life was often like night. His face may have been marred, His countenance dimmed with sorrow, but at times it was illuminated by unparalleled satisfaction, as He thought of the reward awaiting Him. Even in the congregation, He sang praise to God. In this, Jesus is a beautiful reflection of His church on earth. The church now walks a difficult path, sharing in her Lord’s sufferings. Through much hardship, she makes her way to the crown. Bearing the cross is her task, and being scorned and rejected is often her experience. Yet the church has a deep well of joy, which only her own children can drink from. Hidden in our Jerusalem are stores of wine, oil, and grain, from which the saints are continually sustained. And sometimes, as with our Savior, we experience intense joy, for “there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.” Though we are exiles, we rejoice in our King! Yes, we greatly rejoice in Him, raising our banners in His name.