Friday, April 2, 2010
Today is Good Friday and it passed like any other day and it bothers me. I wish there was something spectacular about today. I wish it wasn't so easily forgotten or ignored. I wish it moved people. But it doesn't. And that grieves me.
I'm not just talking about those who don't believe or take a personal interest in today, I mean everyone, even me and my family. I struggle with wanting to make this day important, to impress upon my children the deep meaning, but I struggle. I want them to know the power of today, not just "know". I want the power and the intensity of The Passion of Christ to fill their senses and minds. I want it to be real.
Today we celebrate the death of Jesus. Which seems strange to say. Celebrate? Oh yes. We weep and we fall to our knees at the crucifixion and the depravity of it all, but we celebrate because one man, one God, chose to die this way. For us. For me. For you. We needed it to happen as much as He needed to do it, and it cuts us to the core. We can choose to ignore it, and many do, and they spend the day doing their own thing, enjoying an extra day off of work or school, but it will not leave us. Everyone knows what today is. We all have it in us to know that someone died for us. It was horrific, it was gory, it was downright terrible. We have all seen the images of Jesus on a cross. It's there, ingrained in our minds.
Today passed with the typical rainfall of Good Friday. It's funny, it happens every year; I actually expect it. But I like it that way. I think the rain is perfect. I love the solitude it gives, the feeling of retrospect it forces (ok, maybe only on me!) We also had strong winds today. And anyone can tell you, I do not like wind! I don't mean the wind that comes in and sweeps your hair off your shoulders as you run across the beach in a bikini chasing a frisbee like a wonderful calming hair or tampax commercial, I mean the wind that whips your hair off your head and smacks you across your face and turns your umbrella inside out! I don't like that. But even today the wind was welcomed. (well, from inside the confines of my nice toasty house, that is!) But it wasn't enough. I wanted it to get fierce. I wanted the sky to go black. I wanted it to look ugly. I wanted the earth to tremble. I wanted the death of my Saviour to be noticed by all. I wanted the power that was felt at his death, where all those things happened, to be felt here. It was so incredible that day that the Roman soldiers standing by Jesus' cross, fell to their knees and said immediately, "Surely this was the son of God!" (Matthew 27:50-55)
I want my sorrow to be felt by the world.
He died. For me. For you. For the world. So that I am no longer owned by death. I can come clean to the Father. I can be changed. I don't have to be held down by sin. I am free.
He did that for me and you. And I want it to mean something. To everyone.
Precious Jesus~Steve Hindalong
I remember you
precious Jesus, I remember you
healer of my heart
lover of my soul
on your sacred head
a crown of thorns pressed on your sacred head
mighty king of the universe, merciful lamb
for my sin you suffered and bled
still father, forgive them, they don't understand
sweet savior, I heard what you said
and we remember you
precious Jesus, we remember you
Jesus, we love you
precious Jesus, we love you
Jesus, we love you
precious Jesus, we love you
healer of our hearts
lover of our souls
Jesus, Jesus, we remember
Jesus, Jesus, we remember
as we drink from the cup of salvation, your blood
we remember your sacrifice
we remember the way that you suffered for us
risen from the grave
Christ immortal risen from the grave
at Jerusalem's gate how you wept for the lost
even as palm branches waved
then you proved how you loved us on Calvary's cross
and rose up on the third day
so all who believe might be saved, yes
and we remember you
precious Jesus, we remember you
Jesus, we love you
precious Jesus, we love you
Jesus, we love you
precious Jesus, we love you
healer of our hearts
lover of our souls
(song found on the City on a Hill: songs of worship and praise compliation that came out in 2000, way back when, that is still one of my faves.)
I'm not just talking about those who don't believe or take a personal interest in today, I mean everyone, even me and my family. I struggle with wanting to make this day important, to impress upon my children the deep meaning, but I struggle. I want them to know the power of today, not just "know". I want the power and the intensity of The Passion of Christ to fill their senses and minds. I want it to be real.
Today we celebrate the death of Jesus. Which seems strange to say. Celebrate? Oh yes. We weep and we fall to our knees at the crucifixion and the depravity of it all, but we celebrate because one man, one God, chose to die this way. For us. For me. For you. We needed it to happen as much as He needed to do it, and it cuts us to the core. We can choose to ignore it, and many do, and they spend the day doing their own thing, enjoying an extra day off of work or school, but it will not leave us. Everyone knows what today is. We all have it in us to know that someone died for us. It was horrific, it was gory, it was downright terrible. We have all seen the images of Jesus on a cross. It's there, ingrained in our minds.
Today passed with the typical rainfall of Good Friday. It's funny, it happens every year; I actually expect it. But I like it that way. I think the rain is perfect. I love the solitude it gives, the feeling of retrospect it forces (ok, maybe only on me!) We also had strong winds today. And anyone can tell you, I do not like wind! I don't mean the wind that comes in and sweeps your hair off your shoulders as you run across the beach in a bikini chasing a frisbee like a wonderful calming hair or tampax commercial, I mean the wind that whips your hair off your head and smacks you across your face and turns your umbrella inside out! I don't like that. But even today the wind was welcomed. (well, from inside the confines of my nice toasty house, that is!) But it wasn't enough. I wanted it to get fierce. I wanted the sky to go black. I wanted it to look ugly. I wanted the earth to tremble. I wanted the death of my Saviour to be noticed by all. I wanted the power that was felt at his death, where all those things happened, to be felt here. It was so incredible that day that the Roman soldiers standing by Jesus' cross, fell to their knees and said immediately, "Surely this was the son of God!" (Matthew 27:50-55)
I want my sorrow to be felt by the world.
He died. For me. For you. For the world. So that I am no longer owned by death. I can come clean to the Father. I can be changed. I don't have to be held down by sin. I am free.
He did that for me and you. And I want it to mean something. To everyone.
Precious Jesus~Steve Hindalong
I remember you
precious Jesus, I remember you
healer of my heart
lover of my soul
on your sacred head
a crown of thorns pressed on your sacred head
mighty king of the universe, merciful lamb
for my sin you suffered and bled
still father, forgive them, they don't understand
sweet savior, I heard what you said
and we remember you
precious Jesus, we remember you
Jesus, we love you
precious Jesus, we love you
Jesus, we love you
precious Jesus, we love you
healer of our hearts
lover of our souls
Jesus, Jesus, we remember
Jesus, Jesus, we remember
as we drink from the cup of salvation, your blood
we remember your sacrifice
we remember the way that you suffered for us
risen from the grave
Christ immortal risen from the grave
at Jerusalem's gate how you wept for the lost
even as palm branches waved
then you proved how you loved us on Calvary's cross
and rose up on the third day
so all who believe might be saved, yes
and we remember you
precious Jesus, we remember you
Jesus, we love you
precious Jesus, we love you
Jesus, we love you
precious Jesus, we love you
healer of our hearts
lover of our souls
(song found on the City on a Hill: songs of worship and praise compliation that came out in 2000, way back when, that is still one of my faves.)
If you are looking for more information as to what I believe and why and how this can change your life, please ask me any question! If you just want to search online, this is a great article to read: Beyond Blind Faith. Was Jesus a Liar, a Lunatic, a Legend or the Truth? Or if you want to talk to someone right now, call 1-800-NEED HIM or check out their site HERE. Or if you are looking for something to read of your own, I will send you a copy of the book "The Case For Christ" by Lee Strobel, a book written by a lawyer and (former) athiest who had the intentions to "debunk" the story of Jesus as Christ. Just ask!
Today is a Good day. Don't let it pass without knowing WHY it is. In the words of Kai, today is Good "because Jesus died and rose from the dead so that we can go to Heaven and be with Him." (I guess my kids are learning some truth of the day after all!)
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2 comments:
I usually celebrate this weekend, but have to admit I was lost in my worries this weekend. Watching the Passion of Christ instead of attending a service as I find it so much more powerful. Feel a little ashamed saying I was pre-occupied as He died a very painful death in order for me to live. I'm sure if a friend did that today for us we'd all weep and remember and celebrate that day every year and throughout the year.
Great posts and a great reminder Lori!
Our worries and stresses are normal, so don't beat yourself up too much for being burdened. I'm pretty sure He's not going to condemn you for how you spent your Easter. He just wants your heart. It's the giving your worries to him that he cares about!
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