Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble,
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
What comes to mind when you "flashback" to that Friday almost 2000 years ago? Have you spent much time reflecting on the events of Good Friday or is it generally a regular day and Resurrection Sunday is the focus? Thinking through the events of that long night and day--the trials, the scourging, the frenzy of the crowd, the walk to Golgotha, the raising of the cross with Jesus Christ suspended from its beams, the vigil as they watched and waited for Him to die, His agony, His tender words to His mother, her grief, the darkness, the soldiers gambling for his clothes, the mocking of one thief and the repentance of the other, the finality as He said "It is finished," the grief as his disciples lowered his body and prepared it for burial--what stands out as vivid and touching to you? Where does your mind usually "park" when you reflect on the crucifixion?
It has only been in recent years that we have attended a church service on Good Friday. When I was growing up, that was not a Southern Baptist tradition. While I can guess that the intent was to differentiate from the more ritualistic observances that some denominations observed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, I think the pendulum swung too far the opposite direction. It was far too easy to ignore the horror of the cross and skip right over it to the joy of the Resurrection. However, the Resurrection's meaning is that much more profound by reflecting on the agony that Jesus suffered for us.
I was in college when I first "discovered" John 17, the prayer Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Knowing the drops of blood that He sweat as He wrestled with knowing what the next hours would hold, and yet reading the loving prayer that He prayed for each of us in the midst of that just boggled my mind. (It still does!)
I cannot begin to imagine what it would have been like to have been in the crowd that day. As much as I want to protest the fact, I fear that my sin nature would have made me follow the crowd that day and be swept up in the emotion of it all. At the same time, it is nearly impossible to fathom attending a crucifixion as if it were just another event in the day.
Of course since I've been a mom, it's hard not to identify with Mary at the foot of the cross. How distant the memory of the angel's visit announcing that she would bear the Messiah must have seemed as the man who spent his first days in a cattle stall spent his last one nailed to a cross.
Although words can never begin to convey what that day was like, this song has always spoken to my heart.
Share your "flashback" and reflections on your blog and link up here. Blessings to you this Easter weekend.
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6 comments:
Enjoyed this flashback as always! You do a wonderful job hosting this meme. Wouldn't it have been something to be part of that crowd, it gives me cold chills when I really think about it. Thank you for hosting this meme! Hope you have a wonderful Easter!
until next time... nel
I hope you and yours have a wonderful, blessed Easter. (and I hope you feel better soon)
I enjoyed reading your reflections today, especially the song/video. Thanks for sharing.
Very nice, Linda. And wonderfully written. I hadn't really ever tried identifying with Mary, Jesus' mother. As a mother yourself I can see how you would pick up on that in a very personal situation.
Happy Easter, Linda! Now we will celebrate Jesus' triumph over the grave and from his horrible earthly death.
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BTW (p.s) Remember that you are on my blogging buddy prayer list as are many others here.
The above comment was from Mrs. Jim's computer. I didn't notice until I returned here now.
Just thought of another song that I think might fit you and your feelings really well, Mary, Did You Know?
I thought it had the Easter message but I was wrong. It ends this way:
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.
http://artists.letssingit.com/mark-lowry-lyrics-mary-did-you-know-hc1xwsv
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I asked Mrs. Jim if her feelings had changed about the Crucifixation and Easter after she had become a Mother. She said 'no' but I think now after me asking her that she may.
Thank you.
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This is such a great idea for the flashback this week.
Interesting to think how Mary would feel standing at the cross and thinking about when she found out she was going to be a mother.
This year was the first time in years that I haven't gone to a Good Friday Service. i got dressed to go but got busy and missed it. Conversely, it was the first time in years I attended the Maundy Thursday service.
Next year I plan to attend all the Holy Week activities, like i have always done in the past. Good Friday, as you said, is an important reminder for all of us that Jesus SUFFERED to redeem us. While it is important to focus on the resurrection, we shouldn't forget that without Christ's death the resurrection wouldn't have been.
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