Bittersweet

A piece of bittersweet chocolate: slightly bitter, slightly sweet. As you take a bite into this dark piece of pleasure, the battle explodes in your mouth. The person who first called it bittersweet chocolate, captured it perfectly.

Today, Good Friday, reminds me of bittersweet chocolate. A little bitter and a little sweet. The bitterness comes as I think of the nails that went through Christ's sinless hands. It comes as I think of the thorns that pierced His flawless head. It comes as I think of the spear that pierced His side. It comes as I think of the jeering and cheering that went on as He walked that path to the hill where He was crucified. It comes as I think of the sin that weighed down on Him as He took His final breath. And with all of these bitter feelings that swell up inside of me as I ponder these things, I am ashamed of who I am, with all of my wretchedness. I am saddened that I had any part to play in the reason He did this.

However, just as in bittersweet chocolate, I am filled with the sweetness. The sweetness comes when I think of the willingness of Christ as He told the Father "but thy will be done". It comes when I think of how He chastised Peter for using His sword against the soldier that was taking Christ to trial. It comes when I think of the forgiveness He showed to the sinner beside Him as He was suffering on the cross. It comes when I remember His words "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." It comes when I remember how He followed through to completion His death on the cross, to provide a way for us to be able to live as God's children. And finally, it comes as I remember His resurrection 3 days later, thus fulfilling prophecy and giving us LIFE! I am humbled by His sacrifice and ever so grateful.

Yes, this day is so bittersweet. What a precious gift we have been given through our Saviour!