Contrition

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, because the sun's light had failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. And Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I entrust My spirit." Saying his, He breathed His last.

When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, "This man really was righteous!" All the crowds that had gathered for the spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. But all who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Luke 23:44-49

Imagine this scene: darkness had come over the land at midday; The curtain of the temple was split in two and witnesses come telling the tale; Jesus prays His last prayer and dies. Suddenly an awareness of the goodness of God dawns, the rabble are stricken, as are the Pharisees and leaders who came to mock. They slink away beating their chests as a sign of contrition. I wonder how many found forgiveness that day, found truth and were set free?

This morning I discovered a client suddenly had a heart attack, just out of the blue. He is in hospital in ICU. This man and his family are facing the worst, the blackest time, but my God is greater. The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead is alive. Amen!

This evening we faced a nasty storm, I watched blackness come upon the land. I have the benefit of seeing across the valley and watched solid, dark grey rain fall. It looked vicious and the weather report was not good but God heard my prayer and it had no fist in the rain that came. Praise Him!

My God hears my prayers, He hears yours, we .just have to believe He does. We do not have to accept the worst, we can go to the Lord in prayer believing He will hear and act. Amen!

Jesus had previously forgiven His persecutors and here we see them go home aware of their sin. Praise God! Start lraying the prayers of faith. Amen!