In giving his life for us, Christ gave us all he had. As we talked about on the 10th Station of the Cross Meditation, Jesus had nothing left to his name in this world that the ordinary person could see. He gave his life so that we could have ours. In dying, he conquered death. What does that mean? It means that we, though we may die on earth, can live forever with God in Heaven.
So what happened when Jesus died? Eyewitnesses said that the sky turned dark and the ground shook. All those who were at the scene of the crucifixion must have known that something big was going on. It could be no coincidence that when the man who claimed he was God died, the earth cried out of sadness.
Imagine also how the apostles felt. Everything they had known and followed was taken away from them. Their teacher, their leader, their friend. He was gone. They probably didn't know what to do. But Christ was still with them, just as he is with us today. As he hung there on that cross, it was as if his arms were outstretched to envelop humanity in his loving embrace.
Today (or tommorow since tomorrow is Good Friday), take a few minutes and just sit quietly. Our Lord, our God, has died. Let that sink in. Put yourself at the foot of the cross and give all you have to Jesus. He loves you. He died for you.
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