The Passion of the Christ: Christ's Courage Given to Us - Christocentric (Joshua 1:9)

Picture a small, sunlit room filled with laughter and warmth. It's a tight-knit community, gathered for a special farewell party for Aunt May, a beloved matriarch in the church. Her family, friends, and neighbors are all there, sharing stories and memories, each one highlighting her unwavering strength and faith. But as the evening wears on, you notice tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. The laughter fades, replaced by an anxious silence. Aunt May has been diagnosed with a serious illness, and the reality of her journey ahead weighs heavily on everyone.

Then, in a moment that draws everyone closer, she stands up. With a steady voice, she recalls how God has been her refuge throughout her life, even in the darkest valleys. “Remember,” she says, her eyes gleaming with a fierce light, “Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us to be strong and courageous. The LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” You can feel the air shift, the weight of fear lifting. In that moment, Aunt May becomes a living embodiment of the courage we find in Christ.

Much like Aunt May, our Savior, Jesus, faced His own crossroads—Gethsemane, where His own heart trembled under the weight of impending sacrifice. Yet, He pressed forward, embodying the very promise of Immanuel, “God with us.” In Christ, we are not merely spectators; His courage is infused into our spirits through our union with Him. As we confront our own Gethsemanes—whether they be health challenges, relational struggles, or spiritual battles—we can draw from His unyielding strength. When He whispered, “It is finished,” He shared with us the victory and courage necessary to face our own crosses. Indeed, through Him, we lack nothing, not even the courage to rise and walk forward in faith.