April 13, 2001
Today is Good Friday. What a good Friday it is. The day of our Lord's
death. What I like to do on this day, as well as on Easter morning and
Christmas, is go through the day that Christ went through in my head. I
try to understand, in a physical way, what Christ went through. Of
course I will never understand the amount of suffering he went through,
but I want to be one with Jesus, at least try. For instance, last night,
he was up all night going back and forth between the Roman court and the
Jewish priest, to ascertain his guilt. He must have been exhausted,
because I know how tired I get after all-nighters, and Jesus was suffering
much more, with his impending death and the burden of the world's sins
weighing heavily on his heart. The time right now is 8:51am, meaning
Christ is on his way to Golgotha, stumbling along as his cross is being
carried by Simon. He will be crucified at around 9am, if I'm not mistaken.
He will hang on the cross until 3pm, when he will give up his spirit. What
suffering he faced! What loneliness! I know I have complained many
times in the past about feeling lonely in college, about having no
one care about me. Well, my tidbit of perceived loneliness is
nothing compared to the brutal truth that Jesus faced. There, alone on the
cross, for all the world to see, Jesus hung. Naked. Beaten. Without even
God the Father's watchful, loving eyes upon him. The King of the Universe,
hanging with two common criminals. Yes, I know the story...seemingly
everyone knows the story. But what does the story mean to me? His death is
my life. He suffered so I wouldnt' have to. How wonderful an act for such
a one as I. Jesus transformed the symbol of the cross forever, as he did
with the life of every saved sinner. He turned the absolute symbol of
death and turned it on its head, into one of grace and life. So I cherish
my Lord, and remember the cross that he hung on, as a symbol of my death
and new life.
The Old Rugged Cross by George Bennard
v1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain
refrain So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
v2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the
world
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary
refrain
v3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so
divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me
refrain
v4. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share
refrain
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