HIS BLOOD BE UPON US AND ON OUR CHILDREN . . .

It’s almost time for the sun to descend below the horizon, and yet its glow is seen in the heavens and upon the waters. How glorious. 

As I read the Lent Scripture for today from CONTEMPLATING THE CROSS by Tricia McCary Rhodes, I thought of the moment in history when it seemed all glory had descended and faded completely, leaving only darkness upon the face of the deep.

“Crucify Him, Crucify Him” the angry crowd roared; their ruler would not carry the emotional weight of this Man’s death, and washed his hands as a gesture removing himself from any guilt or responsibility. “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; do with Him as you wish,” and the mob gladly took on that responsibility – the sentence of death. (The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 27)

But as the setting sun glows in the heavens and upon the deep, the light of God’s presence remains for those who choose to see – for those who know “His blood be upon us and upon our children” is no curse after all; it is the gift and the heart's cry of a gracious God and a loving Savior. No other religion's deity, in all of history, has displayed such love.

Indeed! Lord, God of heaven and earth, maker of the universe, all-compassionate one, Your blood be upon us and upon our children! This is the cry of our hearts as we look toward the horizon and await Your glorious return. Every eye will see the SON of GOD – who came to open blind eyes, to heal the lame and the deaf, who opened prison doors and declared, “This is the Day of God’s Favor” –  descend and gather those whose lives have been transformed through the Blood of Jesus which was so quickly dismissed by that earthy king because of an unruly mob and by myriad today who turn away from the love of Jesus as easily as the brilliance of the setting sun is ignored. Holy Spirit of God, open blind eyes! May our children and children's children experience Your grace while the glorious day of Your appearing is still on the horizon...

“The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Thank You, oh thank you Jesus – INDEED! May Your blood be upon us and upon our children. 

Amen. Selah