On The Journey… Good Friday

Even though I have read the Passion Narrative and Isaiah’s Fourth Servant Song more times than I can count in my 28 years of ministry, the words still make me tear up! At noon today I was privileged to share worship with my brother in the Lord’s service, Larry Teasely, pastor of First United Methodist Church in DeFuniak Springs. We had already shared the Maundy Thursday service at First Presbyterian last night. Co-celebrating the sacrament with him and then worship today was a special blessing. While both of us enjoy worshipping together, we are also both profoundly moved when we pause to reflect on just what our Lord faced so long ago.

How can I possibly comprehend the length and depth, height and breadth of what you suffered, dear Jesus? My heart breaks as I read the words of Isaiah and contemplate how you fulfilled those very words. My heart breaks when I contemplate how badly beaten you were by the Empire’s minions. Lord Jesus, how were you able to stand after having the very skin stripped from your back by the scourging? How did you endure the excruciating pain without saying a word?

I cannot imagine what you went through, dear Jesus… And when I try and consider what you went through… Tears flood my eyes and my heart aches with an unspeakable agony. Lord, it is too much for me to bear in my own heart. Yet you bore it all! And even from the cross you forgave those who put you there! You forgave Peter for denying you… You forgave the eleven for deserting you… You even forgave the soldiers who drove the spikes through your wrists and feet… And deep in my heart, I know you forgave Judas who betrayed you…

When I think about how you forgave… How you made sure your sweet mother would be cared for by your beloved John… And how you even had compassion for the penitent thief beside you… Somehow, as I think about all of that, the horror lessens. It doesn’t go away, but in some strange way it lessens. Why? Because dear Jesus, you show me something that is greater than agony or pain or persecution. You show me that in the end Love wins! Your forgiveness… Your compassion… It overcomes all matter of pain and suffering that the Empire and each of us can throw your way.

THAT IS the GOOD news! Love wins! Love overcomes! Love Trumps as my dear wife Denise says! They beat you… They tortured you… They mocked you… They killed you! Yet even at the very end your song continued. They may have killed your physical body, but your love would live on!

Lord Jesus, my dear Savior and Brother… Teach me to love as you have loved and to forgive as you have forgiven… And most of all, precious Lord, teach me to live as you lived and as you continue to live today!

The sun sets and the Sabbath begins… Your body lays cold in the grave… I am thankful, so very thankful, that I know the Good News! Love Trumps! The grave cannot keep you down! Come Lord Jesus, and teach us to love, to forgive, and to live!

Photo is of a High Cross from County Clare in Ireland. The Risen Christ is at the top and Saint Patrick is beneath our risen Lord.