the ultimate sign of hope.

As I am reflecting on this Good Friday, which looks much more different than others, I have been pondering on a passage in Matthew 27 describing the scene of Jesus’ death and crucifixion. In both scenes, Him hanging on the Cross and His final breaths, the people are mocking Jesus and asking Him to prove who He is. First they ask Him, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (v. 40). They continue to mock Him by saying “He saved others; he cannot even save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross and we will believe in him” (v. 42). How often do we do this exact same thing? God, prove to me that you’re in control of my life. God, prove to me that you are a good God. God, prove to me that you love me. We constantly are asking the Lord to prove Himself to us by giving us a “sign.” But here’s the thing: God has already given us countless promises of His character to show us who He is. Here are some of them:

• “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

• “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'” - Mark 10:27

• “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

• “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” - Mark 11:24

• “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” - Matthew 6:33

This is what I want to emphasize: the ultimate sign of hope and the greatest promise the Lord gave us is Jesus. Yet we still looked at Him, beaten and bruised, and asked God to prove His love even more. He sacrificed His only son for the people who put Him on the cross! How wild is that! We struggle to believe in God unless He “does something.” He has done something! He has done EVERYTHING! He has always been truthful about who He is. It is our pride that causes us to trust in ourselves and nobody else. No one believed Jesus was the Son of Man because He didn’t come down from the cross or prove that He could prevent His crucifixion. But Jesus proved who He was through His crucifixion and resurrection. THIS IS A SIGN! This is THE sign! Here is why we miss this so often: if we are constantly focusing on what He’s not doing on our terms, we will miss everything He is doing on His terms. Stop asking for a sign, He has given us everything we need to trust in Him. The Lord does not withhold good things from His children (Ps. 84:11). This is why He did not withhold His son from the world. This is why Jesus didn't let this cup pass from Him.

Happy Good Friday.