Lent Day 32–Beginning of the Happy Ending

As we work our way into the last days of Lent, we look toward the finish line—which in one sense is the Cross and in another sense is far beyond it.  If the Cross was a window into eternity, this is the scene we would see: Revelation 5:1-14.  It’s a passage I love so much that if I had only one opportunity to preach in a lifetime, it would be this passage–the beginning of the happy ending.

Revelation chapter 5 depicts a moment of great despair as it seems as though all is lost, but then our hero arrives just in time to save the day.  It’s masterful storytelling on the part of the Apostle John who was given a glimpse into the very throne room of God.  John weeps because it seems as though every hope of things ever being made right have been thoroughly dashed.  At this climax of storytelling tension, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (the King of Kings, Jesus) arrives on the scene and reveals that it’s His sacrifice on the Cross that is the ultimate triumph.

David Wilcox wrote a song called Show the Way which you can view him performing on YouTube.  The lyrics—in part—speak of this kind of dramatic triumph of the love of God in Jesus Christ:

Look, if someone wrote a play just to glorify
What’s stronger than hate, would they not arrange the stage
To look as if the hero came too late he’s almost in defeat
It’s looking like the evil side will win, so on the edge
Of every seat, from the moment that the whole thing begins
It is…

Chorus:
Love who makes the mortar
And it’s Love who stacked these stones
And it’s Love who made the stage here
Although it looks like we’re alone
In this scene set in shadows
Like the night is here to stay
There is evil cast around us
But it’s Love that wrote the play…
For in this darkness Love can show the way

 As you continue walking on the Way of Holiness; as you find your way to the Cross, look to it and then beyond it–beyond the darkness and pain of this present world– and know that Love has shown the Way.