A Good Friday Reflection

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       "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world." 
John 17:24
 
        The cross has opened the gate into a world which Jesus Himself desires to share with us. He fully knows the glory that awaits those who follow Him. Jesus has tasted the delights of this "heaven" for all of eternity. We ourselves encounter it briefly and find ourselves trying to cling to elements of it that are yet beautifully reflected in this realm. We reminisce of moments when we have caught a glimpse of it but find that we can not hold it or even recapture it. We create idols that we vainly hope will continually convey to us the pleasures of which our souls have once tasted and for which we now long. Yet, these are fading shadows indicating the reality of that ultimate pleasure that He has always known in communion with His heavenly Father. The death of Jesus on the cross ought to indicate something to us of the infinite beauty and worth of what is to be enjoyed if we should follow Christ. The cross was the sacrifice that He was willing to pay in order to share His joy completely and fully with as many as would come. When you think of how terrible the cross must have looked to the Son of God, imagine how glorious heaven must be that He was willing to pay the price.

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