The cross has the final word
I don't know about you, but looking at the photos of Notre Dame in flames today made me feel physically ill. It is one of those things that you cannot wrap your head around actually happening, even as you look at the photographic evidence. I've been there, inside the cathedral. When I was in Paris going to school one summer, I walked right across the front of it every day as I headed to class. I never got the chance to take my children there.
Once something lasts nearly 1000 years, you just kind of assume that it will be there always. Yet, in a matter of hours, it is forever changed, nearly completely ruined, though not quite. It shouldn't surprise us. We're told that nothing on this earth will last forever.
In some ways, it is more than appropriate that this devastation happened during Holy Week. We think our lives will last forever, or if not forever, a lot longer than where we are in this present moment. We also think that these lives are built on solid foundations, that we have created something lasting out of our abilities and efforts.
And then comes the devastation. Something comes along that burns our lives down to the ground. Our perfect facade is damaged and ruined. We wonder how on earth we can keep going amidst the devastation. Nothing will be the same again. We are not even sure if anything can be salvaged, and if it can will it even be worth it. Nothing will be the same again.
Yet, if we look closely, there in the middle of the devastation, we will find salvation in the form of a perfect savior who not only allowed his own life to be cut short, to suffer the ultimate devastation, all for us. If we look closely, the cross and our savior is there not outside the ruin and devastation, but right in the very center of it.
Jesus' disciples could not imagine anything every being the same again. They could not imagine that the world after the crucifixion would be worth anything. Yet when Jesus conquered death,life was different. Life was going to be far more spectacular than anything anyone could have imagined.
Yes, there is devastation. But Jesus promises something better, a life that will ultimately not be able to be devastated. Notre Dame was a beautiful cathedral built to honor God by men. Jesus promises us something far more beautiful, the gift of eternal life with Him in a place where devastation and ruin will no longer have a place.
Once something lasts nearly 1000 years, you just kind of assume that it will be there always. Yet, in a matter of hours, it is forever changed, nearly completely ruined, though not quite. It shouldn't surprise us. We're told that nothing on this earth will last forever.
In some ways, it is more than appropriate that this devastation happened during Holy Week. We think our lives will last forever, or if not forever, a lot longer than where we are in this present moment. We also think that these lives are built on solid foundations, that we have created something lasting out of our abilities and efforts.
And then comes the devastation. Something comes along that burns our lives down to the ground. Our perfect facade is damaged and ruined. We wonder how on earth we can keep going amidst the devastation. Nothing will be the same again. We are not even sure if anything can be salvaged, and if it can will it even be worth it. Nothing will be the same again.
Yet, if we look closely, there in the middle of the devastation, we will find salvation in the form of a perfect savior who not only allowed his own life to be cut short, to suffer the ultimate devastation, all for us. If we look closely, the cross and our savior is there not outside the ruin and devastation, but right in the very center of it.
The nave in Notre Dame after the fire fighters were able to go in.
(Photo credit unknown, if someone knows, I will happily give credit.)
Jesus' disciples could not imagine anything every being the same again. They could not imagine that the world after the crucifixion would be worth anything. Yet when Jesus conquered death,life was different. Life was going to be far more spectacular than anything anyone could have imagined.
Yes, there is devastation. But Jesus promises something better, a life that will ultimately not be able to be devastated. Notre Dame was a beautiful cathedral built to honor God by men. Jesus promises us something far more beautiful, the gift of eternal life with Him in a place where devastation and ruin will no longer have a place.
Comments
modern society. In addition, that this occured during Holy Week, isn't lost on the hearts of people who love this building and lived with it, ie: in Paris.
I feel so bad for the French people....a loss to all, but especially in the homeland.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words. I always enjoy reading your writing and thoughts on things.
mary m
vancouver,wa.