Text: Psalm 22:27-31, Luke 23:44-49, Mark 15:33-39, John 19:28-30
I wish I could greet each one of you with a quiet hug on this day of mourning. It is perhaps the most bittersweet day of the year, but somehow, in the darkness, the “sweetness” is harder to find.
Have you read through today’s passages yet? If you haven’t, I’d love if you’d do that first. Today we’ll sit in three gospel accounts of Christ’s crucifixion. Allow your heart to enter the text and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet distractions as you give ear to this sacred narrative.
. . .
Do you feel the weight of what you just read? It’s hard to read without deep sighs and even tears, isn’t it? The reality of a real man—my God—enduring what He did. It makes me painfully uncomfortable. Yet, as I read these words, I’ve never felt so deeply loved.
Christ’s final words came with His dying breath—”It is finished.” And it was.
He bore the wrath of the one, true, holy God against sin—wrath that was due to literally anyone and everyone but Him. And it was finally over. His death completed the work of salvation for His people. It was truly finished then, and it still is.
It is finished. Complete.
And hear this today—really hear it: Because it is finished, there is nothing that any one of us can contribute to Jesus’ work on the Cross to bring us any closer to salvation.
Let’s worship the One who was wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. As we observe this holy day of sacrifice for salvation, let’s remember the chastisement that brought peace for you and me, and receive the healing that comes to us from the stripes He bore.
“So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification, for everyone. For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”
Romans 5:18,19, HCSB
It is finished, friends.
Thanks be to God.
“It’s hard to read without deep sighs and even tears, isn’t it? ”
As I read this, I felt frustrated–almost judged–(which is so silly) for not feeling what I think I should be feeling today, or all this Lent. I want to feel the weight of my sin. I want to feel the depth of His love and the magnitude of His sacrifice. But my heart will not respond to any of my attempts at getting it with the program. I’ve grown up knowing the gospel story and have been walking with Him for almost 7 years…and I feel absolutely deadened to all of it. Is anyone experiencing this?
It’s ok, Anna! Today I have chosen to simply focus on what speaks most profoundly to me about the story I have known for years. Have I cried? Nope. But I have remembered Him and pondered and been intentional in my thoughts. And I know He sees me. He sees you too and knows your longing and loves you for who you are where you are. i pray you also experience His love and peace today in the way you need it most!!
Thank you, Shara. This so encourages me.
There are days I am not moved by a devotional or bible reading—and as frustrating as it is, it usually points me to my overwhelming need for my savior. I can’t make my emotions turn on each time, but I know deep down how much I love him, and am grateful for Him, and how His sacrifice was enough. It was enough to cover my emotionless days (when everyone else is crying and moved by God’s word) and enough to cover my very best days, when I feel so connected to a Bible reading, and wrapped up tightly in His embrace.
Emily, you’re so right. Thank you for this.
Anna, I have been walking with Him the same time and at times I have felt the same way. One of the ways I would focus on the Word was looking at one word that really jumped at me in the verses. And just think about it and ask God to really lead my spirit through the day with this word in mind. Then I would go back and read the Word later in the day.
Sorry, pressed the thumbs down icon by mistake, meant to press the thumbs up!
Good idea, Maria. Thank you so much.
Anna, I know just what you mean. I don’t feel the heaviness or tears either. I never have but I have love and a deep gratitude for all Jesus has done for me. Sometimes I feel guilty or like I don’t feel enough but it’s how I am in my normal life. I’m not a super emotional or sentimental person so I think it’s just how I am. I hope you get this and know that you’re not alone.
It’s good to know I’m not alone. Thank you for reaching out, Rae Lynn. I like what you said about some of us just not being emotional people. That really resonates.
I heard this metaphor once, and I can’t tell you how encouraging it has been in times when I don’t feel that deep emotional connection like you have explained. Our relationship with God is like a train. The engine is FACT (God’s Word), the next car is FAITH (our trust in God’s Word) And the caboose is FEELING (our emotions). We follow, trust and love God because of facts and what we know is true. Not because we have an emotional experience. Our emotions are unpredictable. God’s Word isn’t.
Thank you, Katie- I love that metaphor. So true.
No judgement here Anna! No tears or deep sighs as you read doesn't make you any *less*. Whether or not you cry doesn't change that you are deeply loved, exactly as those who do. God loves the non-crier, just as much as the crier, the one filled with emotion as much as the one who isn't expressive and the one can't speak, as much as the one who can. There was a period before my Mom's passing that she suffered dementia and an inability to express a solid thought. I struggled a tad with the idea that I didn't know what she needed, couldn't even answer a question and wasn't even remotely helpful, but God really comforted me that HE knew exactly what she needed, what she felt, her heart and that He would be able to provide everything. That He wouldn't miss connecting with her just because she couldn't connect with the world. It's the same for all of us. He finds a way to connect, to bring us around to Him in very intimate ways. The very fact that you want to feel the weight of sin, the depth of His love and the magnitude of His sacrifice is imperative in understanding that you will. God will meet you precisely where you need Him to and it may not be over a devotional, but it's a great place to start. And one thing I know to be true, is that it doesn't matter how long we walk with the Lord, we are always learning, always growing and ever changing. I will be prayerful over your heart here Anna. That God reveal Himself emotionally to you and that you begin to feel the connection you desire and that He does as well. That as you move through each day, God reveal bits of His love for you personally and that you see and feel with great clarity it all. ~ B
Dear B,
I can’t tell you how this helped me. Thank you for your words and your prayers.
Oh how he loves us!
Thank you SRT o this amazing journey you have led us through during Lent.
Today I attended my very first Good Friday service at one the most beautiful Methodist churches on West End Avenue, which I had never been to before. As the scriptures were read, I was able to reflect back to same scriptures I read here over the past week. So much darkness but so much love. I am so thankful for SRT and this community. I have never experienced Lent, Passover, Good Friday or Easter the way I have this year. So thankful he loves me and all of us so much!
Blessings!
Friends, oh it makes my heart smile to come together as a sweet community to read the Word together and to observe this Good Friday with such a sober tone, but looking forward to Sunday!! I was thinking about today's Scripture that mentioned the women who observed Jesus' death and mourned together in community. Oh but we don't have to mourn together!! We have HOPE. Thanks be to God! We can be the women that live a life of praise, with bold faith, and servant love! Together. I just can't get that out of my mind. Thank you to the SRT team for guiding us through Lent with tough, heart piercing words filled with TRUTH and HOPE. Hugs to you all!!
How beautiful, that even as Jesus was breathing His last, the centurion had faith to believe and recognize Him for who He was. The sun stopped shining! The earthquake, veil tearing in two…wow, can you imagine being there? The creation responded to the death of its Creator.
On Good Friday I love to read my favorite poem by the Victorian poet Christina Rosetti (1830-1894) titled: "It is Finished". I highly recommend it and hope it blesses you too, as It always helps me to remember that Jesus died for each of us personally — how amazing to be a part of those "people yet unborn" quoted in Psalm 22.
Blessings to all on this holy day.
I've felt the heaviness of today coming for at least a week– not a negative weight, but a reverent one I've often felt when re-reading, or re-imagining this day 2000+ years ago. My Jesus, who knows my heart so well, who walks with me daily (even when I am a bear) gave himself up to this. The only help, and the reason I don't find myself under dark clouds, is remembering that– who he is, and that he was strong enough to overcome it. It's a strange blend of worship and solemnity that comes over me when I imagine it all. The only words I could think when reading the above references today, though, were "how could anyone overlook, or not feel the reality of what happened that day!?". The curtain was freaking torn, ripped right down the middle! Prophecy came to fruition that day multiple times, and yet (both then and now) there is still unbelief. THAT is what pains me most about this day. Yet, he honors the doubts of Thomas days later, with grace and love.
What a ridiculously awesome God we serve. :)
Amen! (:
I grew up on the east coast, and I vividly remember as a little girl it being rainy and miserable every Good Friday. I remember thinking that God must still be weeping for what happened to His son, Jesus, in order for us to be saved. Even though it was necessary and written long before it happened, I'm sure, as a Father, God is weeping.
Now, as an adult living in Colorado (the land of perpetual sunshine), I can't help but marvel at the fact that after having weather in the 70's & 80's for the last week the temperatures dropped 40+ degress and we've had rain/snow for Holy Thursday & Good Friday. Tomorrow it's supposed to be in the 70's again. Now maybe I'm looking too much into the weather forecast but the little girl inside me still believes that God is mourning for His one and only Son as only a true parent would. <3
Jennifer, I’m on the east coast and today it is that spirit dampening kind of rainy day. I understand and agree about weather and seasons in relation to our feelings and moods. I think its beautiful how the seasons can correlate with our life changes and emotions. I believe that He is a mighty and thoughtful God in even the small, seemingly insignificant ways, like weather. :)
I am rejoicing today as well! He lives! The grave is empty. I pause today to reflect on the weight of my sin that brought the Son of God to such a choice. And the love and sacrifice inherent in His every action. I mourn that I am a sinner and repent of my unbelief and praise Him that this work of salvation in me is His from first to last. Amen.