April 12 Devotion

He sat on the rough-hewn bench
His elbows on his legs,
His hands dangling between his knees,
His head bowed.
He thought of his life.

He had been born into poverty
And had never known the taste of riches.
His mother had been young and unwed.

He had known illness
And the touch of the cool hand of his mother.
He had known his father's support and teaching.
His parents had loved him.

He had known the utter sorrow and grief
Of the death of his father,
And the heavy burden of providing
A home for his mother.

He had known the tragedy
Of the death of friends
Lost to illness and violence.
He had seen greed and generosity.
He had seen disloyalty and faithfulness.

He had known the absolute joy
Of pleasing his Father
And the heavy burden of responsibility.

He had felt the satisfaction
Of knowing his purpose
And of fulfilling his mission.

He was loved and respected by his friends.
He had been the target of hatred, fear and ridicule.
He had been trusted, revered,
And had felt the pleasure of being a teacher.

He had witnessed the horrors of addiction,
Known the cost of lies and hypocrisy
And had seen the pain of sin.
He had felt fear, temptation and anger.

He understood obedience to God,
And the horrible loss of the betrayal of a friend.

He had laughed, cried, shouted, and smiled.
He loved - with wild abandon, with unlimited freedom,
Unconditionally.

His life had been a good one.
He had treasured it.
Each breath. Each experience.
He did not want to give it up.

As he sat on the bench,
Sweat dripped from his hair,
Stinging his eyes, mingling with his tears.

Tonight he would be betrayed.
Tomorrow he would be beaten and tortured
Tomorrow he would be crucified.

Matthew 26:36-46

Please remember, whatever you are experiencing, whatever your pain or confusion, whatever your grief or sorrow, your Savior has experienced it. He has been there, and he is standing with you now.

Kim Matthews