To The End

 “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13

 A few months ago, one of my closest friends ended her life. It was a violent act that suddenly took this once-vibrant person out of the world before her time. I am still in shock.

My friend was a Christian for most of her life. She loved the Lord and sought Him daily. She never wavered in her faith. I witnessed this. I also knew of the trauma of her childhood. I bore witness to its effect on her emotions all of her adult life.  Eventually, the weight of it became more than she felt she could bear, and so she decided that she was done with life. Those close to her agree that there were no warning signs; she had determined to do it and was not in any way reaching out for help.

During His humanity, did Jesus ever feel this desperate?

“We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who was tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

 Does this verse in Hebrews mean that Jesus was tempted even to end His own life?  What torment Jesus must have been feeling as He prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

 The fact that you and I are still alive is evidence that God is still doing work through our lives. If Jesus had ended His own life, salvation would not have been possible.

Though I know my friend was saved, and I believe that she is in heaven with Jesus, completely forgiven, I also know that she did not end her earthly life well. What work was God trying to complete in and through her? What thing of beauty might He have made out of the ashes of her life, if she had been able to allow Him access to that part of her heart? I will never know. I will miss her for the rest of my life.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. IN this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

 Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that You are our peace in this very evil world. In the midst of our weary, impossible-feeling circumstances, will You please give us the courage to say, as You said, ‘Not My will, but Yours be done.’ Help us to stand firm to the end. Help us to end well, when You say it is time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.