He Lives!

As Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time before his prophesied death, one
wonders what thoughts would have been in his mind. The scriptures relate his soul
being troubled. Would we have also uttered his words: "Father, save Me from this hour?"

Would we have understood the sacred emblems He presented at the Last
Supper? We wonder how He felt as He ministered to each apostle, illustrating the new
commandment to love one another, even knowing that Judas would betray him that
very night, and Peter would also deny him three times before the morning sun rose.

What must our Savior have thought when He saw his three beloved apostles
asleep, three consecutive times, while He suffered in body and spirit the greatest
suffering known in earth or in heaven in that sacred garden spot, Gethsemane?

On that lonely night, while Jesus was forced to appear before the Sanhedrin,
Pontius Pilate, and Herod, would He have been tempted to approach this ordeal calling
upon his heavenly powers to overcome every evil? How would He endure the pain and
humiliation of a crown of thorns, flogging, mocking, and nails driven into his mortal
flesh?

We wonder how He could have uttered the redeeming words: "Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do" to each soldier or others who screamed for his
demise. And in the midst of his own suffering, we may ask ourselves how He could have
comforted a thief who hung by his side, and showed deep concern for his mother just
before He succumbed to his own death?

This entire last week of Jesus' earthly life was an example of his own broken
heart as He cried out in perfect faith for God's redemptive power for our benefit, and
offering every necessary blessing for our salvation. We can use this pattern as we also
seek sanctification only because of Christ's redeeming love through this marvelous,
amazing atonement!

Throughout the narration and songs in this Cantata, the greatest story of all time
illustrates this most beautiful retelling of love between a Father and his Son. As you
listen and contemplate your own mortality and eternity, know that this is our testimony
and witness that our Savior, Jesus Christ, was born, lived, and died for us. And most
importantly, He did the same for you! As this miracle continues, we express the truth of
our conviction that after three days in a borrowed tomb, Jesus was also resurrected and
still, today, He Lives!