You Were on the Cross - Matt Maher

This day 2000 years ago had to be one of agony for a small group of men and women.  The day before, Jesus had just been crucified.  He had been tried for crimes He had not committed, taunted by people who had just celebrated him a few days before, tortured by a group of soldiers and taken off the cross and put into a tomb.  What was the mindset of the disciples and the other followers?  We know Peter denied knowing Jesus.  We know Thomas doubted Jesus had been raised from the grave.  But what about the others?  Were they silent?  Were they weeping loudly?  Were they together or did they each go their own way?  Did even one of them anticipate the third day when Jesus would rise from the grave?  I believe they were so deep in their own grief, they couldn't remember Jesus' teachings or promises of the Resurrection.

This song reminds me of what they might be singing or at least thinking on this Silent Saturday.  It is definitely the words in my heart a year ago.  

Lost, everything is lost

and everything I've loved before is gone.

Alone like the coming of the frost

and cold winter's chill in my stony heart.

And where were you when all that I hoped for?

Where were you when all I've dreamed?

came crashing down in shambles around me?

You were on the cross.   

When we are in the depths of sorrow and loss, it's easy to question God.  I can remember crying out, "Where are you in this God?"  For me, I wasn't doubting God as sovereign or what was doing, or even if He was "in it."  I knew he was there with me.  But to make sense of it was impossible.  I didn't doubt God in what I was going through but I questioned why it had to be that way.

In that way, I am like the group that followed Jesus 2000 years ago.  I can almost hear them saying, "We were with you.  You performed miracles.  We believed you were the Son of God who was going to be King and save us all.  Where are you in this?"  Thankfully Easter Sunday answers all those lingering questions.

You were on the cross.

You died for us.

Victorious.

You were there in all of my suffering

You were there in doubt and in fear

I'm waiting on the dawn to reappear.  

As I look to tomorrow and remember the dawn of the Resurrection, I am thankful it happened 2000 years ago to that small band of dedicated followers.  I am also thankful that my God has done it in my life as well.  He has been victorious in my life and brought me out of the despair I felt a year ago.