Aren't there dreaded appointments in our world?
We dread the doctor's appointment that might reveal bad news or difficult strategy.
We certainly dread every due date of bills we can hardly cover.
The principal at our child's school, the veterinarian of our beloved animals, the accountant who does our taxes, the friend who calls in the middle of the night. Though all of these may carry dread, we meet and move forward through what is required.
Jesus had a most dreaded appointment. We think more about Him this time of year, and in fact, contemplate that He may have more to do with this world than we want to admit. At this time of year, we are thinking about what it must have been like to carry a heavy, wooden cross amid jeers and taunts, be spat upon and kicked, all the while dreading and pondering a sure, slow, and excruciatingly painful death. Try as we might, our minds and hearts do not get close to this reality.
We don't have to. It is done. Our appointment with this event is the opposite of dread. It is simply believing that Jesus did it for us. It is joy, it is thankfulness, it is submission--that's it.
Funny how we keep the dreaded appointments in our lives and when the life-giving, joyful one comes along, we pause and wonder if we should keep it.
Appointment with joy? I'm in.
