“If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” Luke 23:37

We read this verse in church this morning and it hit me like it was brand new. This question was mockingly thrown at Jesus while He hung on the cross for our sins. His authority was in question, but He did not spend the strength to answer. Maybe we should do the same. Does every comment really need a response? When you know who you are, you do not have to defend yourself to everyone that questions you. Some fights are not worth fighting because if a person has a hard heart, nothing you say will make a difference. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words and your response.

The other part that stuck out to me was the demand to “save yourself”. How many times have we heard something similar? This burden is placed on our shoulders and it is up to us to save ourselves. The thing is we cannot save ourselves. We cannot pay the price of sin and no amount of trying will cover our debt. The very thing Jesus was mocked for is the only way to be saved. What kind of King is He that saves sinners like us? King Jesus, the Son of God who longs to have you accept His life in place of yours.

I know it goes totally against our culture today. We are shouted out to make our own way.  Stand up for yourself. Do not go the way of the humble, but rather make a name for yourself. The past two mornings I have been reminded of this verse, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). I would rather walk with my God and make His name famous. I know who He is, my King and all authority has been given to Him. I trust His power and therefore can remain humble.

Maybe you have heard the term, “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” or maybe that is just a Texas thing. Yes, do your part, but I think it is beautiful to ask the Lord for help. Sometimes He is loud and clear and the path levels quickly. Other times the path feels more like an underground tunnel, but you trust the One who is leading you. I love this verse, “When I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.” (Micah 7:8). For me it has been a very long season of being in the dark. However, the Lord is my light and I trust. I do not feel the need to kick and scream my way out, because my noise would only hinder my hearing Him. Instead I do what He has before me today. This time of darkness has grown my roots, so to speak, deep in His love and I am actually very thankful. A weak root system is very unhealthy, especially in a storm.

I once asked an amazing artist and author about her work. She said that people only see the results, but not the 10 years of her hidden work. That has long stuck with me and helped encourage me to keep trusting and depending on the One who knows me full well. He knows the plans written for me before I was born and His love for me is sure. The cross tells me this is so. And if He chose to die on the cross for all the world, then I will spend my days making Him known. I may be in the dark, but that never changes who He is. In fact, I would say He is even brighter to me here. And anytime you want to come sit with me here in this space, I will point you to His light.

Happy Sunday!