October 5, 2011

When He had finished praying, Jesus left with His disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. John 18:1

When Joseph and Mary had made their way to Bethlehem, it’s altogether possible that they passed through the Kidron Valley. This would have been a familiar experience for them. When Jews would come to Jerusalem, they would come singing their familiar Psalms of Ascent.

When they passed through this valley, they did so knowing they were
bearing the Savior of the world, the One promised for so long. They would sing the Psalms in a whole new way. Others were singing the songs filled with hope. Mary and Joseph were singing them as songs about to be
fulfilled! The cry of the pilgrims had been heard! The Messiah was about to be born! There must have been so much joy in Joseph and Mary’s heart as they passed through the Kidron Valley with eagerness and delight.

33 years later, however, Jesus passed through this valley on Palm Sunday. He was welcomed as the Song of David, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. He was riding a donkey. Mary, that day, no doubt remembered her ride into Jerusalem, on the way to Bethlehem so many years earlier (and probably on a donkey as well.)

But, on this night that we’ve read about in the Scriptures today Jesus passes through the valley again. This time, He does so as our Lord and Savior, to lay down His life for us, and then to take it up for us again. He came through that valley so He might assure us that He joins us in all the valleys of our lives.

REMEMBER: You are always accompanied by the King of kings and Lord of lords.

LIFE OF CHRISTJohn 18:1; Luke 22:39-46