Easter Devotional: The Answer of Hope - Day 3

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. —Matthew 27:45-50

05 Apr, 2023

Today’s devotion is brought to you by Cammonde Andunga. Cammonde is a Partnership Facilitator working at Compassion Kenya.

We commemorate the day that Jesus died on the cross every Good Friday. From Matthew 27:45-50, we see an agonising death as Jesus shed His blood for us at the cross in Calvary. We see the utter rejection that He experienced and the great darkness that engulfed the world at that moment. We also witness the mockery of those who crucified Him; and, finally, the Saviour of the world died on the cross.

I can picture the disappointment that His followers might have experienced, watching their Master crucified. They had hoped he was the Messiah, who was prophesied beforehand to redeem and restore the world. Seeing their Master dying would have made them feel that their hope was in vain. This was indeed a dark moment for them.

What would they do now? Those who had chosen to faithfully follow Jesus Christ would have been disappointed and discouraged as they helplessly watched their master and friend on the cross—it seemed like darkness had won. This would not have been the end that they had envisioned.

What seemed like the end, however, was only the beginning of something wonderful.

When it seemed like the night was the darkest, God was at work keeping His promises to his people. It was at that moment of rejection that God poured out the cup of wrath that was in store for the world on His own beloved Son. He was rejected so that He could be the bridge of our salvation, dying to redeem us from the power of sin and death. Whatever was meant to be the end of His ministry, in the eyes of those who crucified Him, paved the way for salvation for all mankind. God turned it all around for good!

Often, when the situations in our lives and in our world seem to hit rock bottom, it can be easy to be discouraged and disheartened. In John 10:10, we are reminded that the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but Christ came so that we may have abundant life. This abundant life would only come to us through Christ’s death on the cross.

Good Friday reminds us that we can have hope in the God who triumphed over sin and death.

Our faithful God is always at work in our lives, despite what it may look like on the outside. Therefore, we can always have hope… even in the darkness!

Words by Cammonde Andunga.