The Passion of the Christ: Emmanuel's Courage Given to Us - Christocentric (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Picture a young man named Jamal, standing at the edge of a darkened forest one autumn evening. The leaves have turned shades of fiery red and orange, but there’s a chill in the air that sends shivers down his spine. Just hours before, Jamal received news that his mother has been hospitalized with a serious illness, and the weight of that uncertainty feels as oppressive as the heavy darkness around him.

As he gazes into the shadows of the trees, fear clings to him like mist. He remembers tales his grandmother told of the courage displayed by Christ in Gethsemane—the moment when He faced unimaginable anguish. "If it’s possible," He prayed, "let this cup pass from me." Yet, in that moment of despair, He found the strength to submit, “Not as I will, but as you will.” Jamal thinks, “How could He go through that alone? How could He face betrayal, abandonment, and the agony of the cross?”

In that moment of reflection, Jamal feels a warmth settle in his heart—a whisper of hope. He recalls Deuteronomy 31:6, where God promises, “He will not leave you or forsake you.” This promise echoes in the chambers of his soul, reminding him that even in the deepest valleys of life, he is not alone. The very essence of Emmanuel, "God with us," illuminates his darkness.

Just as Jesus walked through His trials, He walks alongside Jamal now, infusing him with courage that is not his own. With this divine presence, Jamal takes a step forward into the unknown, knowing that in Christ, he is bolstered by a strength greater than his fears. He is reminded that the courage of Christ is not just for Him, but for all of us, illuminating our paths with unwavering hope. So, beloved, lean into that promise—Emmanuel never forsakes, and His courage is freely given to those who trust in Him.