Friday, April 6, 2012

Good Friday

Today is the day that we remember that day Christ was put on the cross.  We've been heading in this direction all week, just as Christ did.

To remember this day, when we were covered over with God's Grace through Jesus, we'll recount Christ's seven last words, which he said from the cross.  Each of the four Gospel's tell the story of Christ's Passion a little differently, and they all deserve their due, but today let's bring the passages together in their customary order.  Take your time reading through these scriptures and pray as you go.

I - Luke 23:34

Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.' And they cast lots to divide his clothing.

II - Luke 23:43

He replied, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'

III - John 19:26-27

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, 'Woman, here is your son.'  Then he said to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.'  And form that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

IV - Mark 15:34

At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'

V - John 19:28

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), 'I am thirsty.'

VI - John 19:30a

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, 'It is finished.'

VII - Luke 23:46

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.'  Having said this, he breathed his last.


Let us pray:

The Word hung between heaven and earth
on a splintery cross. At the place where two wooden
beams intersected, sin and salvation also intersected.
It astonishes us—why would Christ do this?
The Word bled, shouted, and died.
He startled us—what kind of love is this?
The Word has broken our hearts.
The tragic sorrow marks our faces with shame.

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