Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land ... And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. ... When the centurion and those who were with Him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:45a, 50-51, 54)

I am glad that God the Father allowed the world to express itself at the death of Jesus. It just feels right that the sun went dark and the rocks split when He died. Think of it—God Himself came among us as a human being, and now His own creatures have nailed Him to a cross. Of course His death is world-shaking.

And that's terrifying. Most of Jesus' followers are missing from the cross—where are Peter and Andrew and Matthew and James? My best guess is that they are terrified and hiding somewhere in Jerusalem. They are in shock. Their world has ended.

And yet. And yet! Jesus has promised to rise from the dead. All those promises they forgot are still there. A new world is about to dawn, and it will be a world utterly changed, changed forever—filled with mercy, love, and forgiveness. Because of Jesus.

WE PRAY: When my own personal world is ending, Lord, stay with me. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* Have you ever felt like your own world was ending?

* In your new world, how are things different?

* Looking back, how can you see God holding you up through this time?

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today's Bible Readings: Joshua 4-6    Luke 9:18-36

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