Advent and Grief

Our church finishing up the Book of Mark coinciding with Advent this year has been priceless.

 

Yesterday, our pastor talked about “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” Jesus had settled the issue the night before in Gethsemane. He was resolutely laying down His life.

 

Yet He honestly grieved.

Several times this year, our pastor has pointed out that maturity is not stoicism. It is not becoming so unfeeling that you are passionless. Maturity means feeling, grieving, wrestling…and staying on the cross anyway.

 

We, of course, will never do what this Baby turned Sacrificial Lamb did. It is finished. But as we die to ourselves and take up our own crosses, we have permission to grieve. But we keep dying and keep bearing.

 

Because there is only One worthy. And He even supplies the strength.