Holy Week brings with it many traditions of the organized
church and personal families. From attending church services to dying eggs,
from getting a new dress to getting some time off from school, this week
resonates with the hope of new life and celebration.
For the hope of eternity to be available to believers, there
had to be an ultimate sacrifice who could take on the sins of the world.
Enter Jesus. Son of God. ONLY son of God.
But why would God have to sacrifice his only son? Surely, something else could take his place. There are those pretty
white doves, a spotless lamb, a majestic eagle, or even a beautiful tree could
be struck down to cover my sin. God sacrificed His only son because He was
sinless, and He was treasured more than anything in heaven. No angel, no
streets of gold, no Old Testament saint could compare to God’s son.
Most parents would agree their most valued treasure is their
children. We do anything to protect them, raise them well, and love them
unconditionally. That is why losing a child is the most agonizing, heart-wrenching
pain a parent can ever feel. We feel as though we have let our child down –
that we did something or did not do something that has led to their death.
Our finite minds will never understand fully the trinity on
this earth, but I truly believe God’s heart was broken when He saw His only son
on the cross and when He knew the pain Jesus endured. Even knowing that in
three days the hope of heaven would be available to all who believed, the pain
of losing His only son certainly was the worst day in history from God’s point
of view.
Just prior to his crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples, “Therefore
you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and
no one will take your joy away from you.” (John 16:22)
God knew what was going to happen – He planned the whole
thing! He knew Jesus would rise again, but I’m sure those three days of separation
from His only son were not pleasant. The greatest day in history is Resurrection
Day when Jesus rose having buried the weight of our sin and given all those who
believe a path to redemption through Him.
However, even with knowing Sophia is in heaven and that I
will see her again, the pain of losing her is still overwhelming. When I pass
her Minion-filled room or sit by her grave, the hope of heaven has not brought
me the comfort I thought it would. Somehow, the aching in my heart is not
soothed by the reassurance of that hope.
My head has not relayed the message to my heart that it is
going to be okay in the end. My heart has not grasped the hope of the resurrection.
This will come (hopefully) with time and healing, but for those who have lost a
child, the celebration of new life is challenging. So...we will wait, and in the
midst of our hurt, we will hold on for the hope of eternity.
