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Bible Studies for those who love the Word or want to discover more.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Song of a Magdalene: An Easter Reflection

Each year I approach the Easter week with a sense of dread. This dread does not come from the over-commercialization of Easter--bunnies and candy. This dread does not come from anxiety about getting new clothes at the best price. This dread does not come from anticipating the extended family dinner where we will eat too much salt and sugar and pay for it dearly for days to come. No, this dread is a spiritual dread. It is a kind of dread that comes from having to face the fact that our sin demanded such a high price.

I love Jesus. I cherish his friendship and guidance, his correction and comfort. So it becomes dreadful for me when I have to look upon the cross again. I know that Easter is coming. I know that He lives today. But facing his sacrifice is almost too much every season. It is the reminder of who I am--in need of such a great Savior!  This dread does not lead me to despair or depression. It pulls me to my knees in humble adoration for what he's done for all of us.

When I read the story of Jesus being anointed my Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus found in John 12:1-8, and the sinful woman (commonly referred to as a prostitute) in Luke 7:36-50, I am deeply moved. Both of these women, one at the more righteous end of the spectrum and the other at the most wicked, had a deep understanding of who Jesus was and what he was doing in this world. Both anointed him with fragrant oil. He had already offered them both new life and both had received it. And yet, for all of Jesus' followers, men and women alike, there was a dread when he told them multiple times that he would suffer and die. Surely their sins were not so great as to demand a perfect sacrifice!  Surely not!  They were good enough. They were following him now, weren't they? Didn't they preach and heal in his Name? But these two women sensed something deeper. Their hearts were more in tune than the others. They had a sense of dread as well. I imagined their struggle in a poem.



Song of a Magdalene

I cannot let you go.
And you must leave us lost.
My heart is torn in two
As You turn toward the cross.

I beg you not to go.
Your suffering will be deep.
But, if You do not go
I cannot be set free.

Oh, please, my Savior!
Must you take your leave?
Your blood, so precious to me,
Must be spilled upon that tree.

I ache will sorrow yet to come.
You told us this must be.
If I cling to You so desperately
I will not be set free.

Oh, Father, keep Him from this pain!
Excise the sin Yourself!
Why must You send our perfect Peace
To such a wretched death?

I think not only of myself—
This longing to be free.
I think of all those lost in sin
Who also need this victory.

And so I give You to that cross,
The cruelest scourge and suffering
That, now I know, must be
For all to be redeemed.

Oh, third day come quickly!
Bring my heart the hopeful, future joy
Of resurrection day fulfilled
And promised by His word.

“Do not fear, my friends,” You said.
And yet we fear indeed.
For we know not what You now do
Is really all we need.

Your voice will be so silent.
The grave so deep and dark.
Yet I believe as best I can.
Your love has lit a spark.

I long to know you’ll come again.
I ache with hope it’s true.
So, go now, my beloved One
And do what you must do.


We could feel left in despair and depression. But that's where the end of Easter week rebukes each one of us. The suffering and the death were necessary, not just because the Father required it and Jesus was obedient, but because our sin was so great and we have no way out of it except by his death and resurrection. Praise God that he does not leave us to our own devices! Dread is very quickly replaced by victory and rejoicing.

I don't mind the dread so much, when seen through resurrection eyes. It calls me to my knees each year and then my Easter morning rejoicing in the freedom from my sins, from your sins, from the sins of any who would kneel down and anoint his beautiful feet, is real and deep and pure and full of gratitude.

Happy Easter!  He is risen!

M.R. Hyde

Copyright 2016
 

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