Today is Good Friday, the day in Holy Week on which Jesus Christ was condemned, beaten and mocked, and executed as a criminal, through the shame and pain of crucifixion.
On this day, we aren’t providing any videos. Instead, I would encourage you to put aside screens for a while, and seek some quiet and reflection. First, and most important, I would encourage you to read at least one of the gospel accounts of the crucifixion, slowly, allowing your mind to picture the details and the events these eyewitness accounts describe. Listen to the words spoken, and especially the words of Christ.
Then, there is a prayer to guide in further mediation on the meaning of the cross. One is a beautiful old prayer from the book of collected prayers called “The Valley of Vision”. The prayer is called “Love Lustres from Calvary” – and don’t let the older language keep you from considering the words. “Lustres” is an older English word for “shines”, and the rest of the words are quite straightforward. The prayer is a rich mediation on the way in which on this darkest of days, the love of God shone the brightest.
On this day Christians remember the worst of acts, and yet we call the day “Good” – for we find our hearts strangely warmed and filled with hope. For in the darkness, the Light shines. And the darkness did not – and CANNOT – overcome it.
Grace and peace in Christ,
Pastor Justin
Scripture Reading - The Crucifixion Accounts
Matthew 26:36 - 27:61
Mark 14:32 - 15:47
Luke 22:39 - 23:56
John 18:1 - 19:42
“Love Lustres at Calvary”
My Father,
Enlarge my heart, warm my affections, open my lips,
supply words that proclaim “Love lustres at Calvary.”
There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on thy Son,
made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
There the sword of thy justice smote the man, thy fellow;
There thy infinite attributes were magnified, and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due, and infinite punishment was endured.
Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
cast off that I might be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell’s worst that I might attain heaven’s best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
athirst that I might drink,
tormented that I might be comforted,
made a shame that I might inherit glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light.
My Saviour wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
bore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might for ever live.
O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou might spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished;
Help me adore thee by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
my every step buoyant with delight, as I see my enemy crushed,
Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
hell’s gates closed, heaven’s portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me the cross,
mighty to subdue,
comfort
and save.