Spoke to My Heart

 We are still hiding.  Hiding is what we do. We hide from everyone - from strangers, from those we love. We hide from ourselves; we hide from God. We fabricate a facade of goodness or beauty, humor, or intelligence. We spent countless dollars, and incalculable hours sprucing up these false fig-leaf identities.....We are none of us consistently authentic.
His great heart was filled with love, and this love empowered him to place himself between danger and those he cherished. Even though his friends weren't worthy  of his protection, of his sacrifice for them, he was determined.  "Take me. Punish me. Let them go." That's been his theme throughout eternity "Take me. Punish me. Let them go." His love for us is our guarantee that we'll make it all the way to heaven.  He interposed his body between the wrath of the religious leaders and his weak disciples; he interposed his precious blood between the righteous wrath of the Father and his sinful bride.  What a husband! What a Savior! He sees your heart today. He knows what you fear and how you continue to try and take matters into your own hands and protect yourself. He sees when you cut off your enemy's ear, as Peter did, lashing out at those who threaten you, seeking to hurt them before they can hurt you.  He sees when you flee naked into the night, hoping to hide yourself from failure, censure, disgrace, judgment.  He sees when you swear that you don't know him, denying him by word or deed, afraid that you'll seem foolish or be persecuted. He knows when you fear the doctor's reports and try to ignore his voice speaking deeply, comfortingly to you. And yet he interposes himself between you and your enemies simply because he is determined not to lose one of those precious ones his Father has given him.
Draw near to him today, won't you? He'll cover you with strong arms and keep your soul safe. Don't hide, don't try to cover up. Just come as you are and thank him for his courage love.

- Elyse Fitzpatrick, Comforts from the Cross: Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time (emphasis mine)