Monday, April 18, 2011

Can't help myself when it comes to Psalm 19.

 Augustine's comment on the Passion in  the last post is sufficient for today. But  I can't resist, after all, pointing to the lovely psalm 19 part A from today's Morning Prayer. This psalm is about the beauty of the day and the night sky as a proof  of God's power and goodness and glory. But there's something here for Holy Week as well.

This line about the rising sun: "...it comes forth like a bridegroom coming forth from his tent, rejoices like a champion to run its course."

As we know, the Rising Sun is a biblical metaphor for Christ, In English we have the added benefit of the words sun and son sounding the same. Anyway, this psalm verse give us a profound image of Jesus preparing this week for His passion like an athlete for a supreme contest. This immediately puts me in mind of Hebrews 12:2--"Let us also ...run with patience to the fight set before us: looking to the author and finisher of faith, Jesus, who for the joy set  before him, endured the cross, despising shame,and sits at the right hand of the throne of God."

Yes, the Agony will come, with its fear, reluctance, and begging for a way out if possible. That was one obstacle in the marathon He runs this week. But clearly, He got His second wind after that.