Good Friday – The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ - John: 18:1 -19:42
Today is one of the holiest of days in our Christian tradition. On this Good Friday we hear John’s account of Jesus’ Passion. The Passions narratives are never easy to listen to. They are the story of betrayal, fearful disciples who deserted Jesus, arrest, questioning and flogging by Pilate and the death penalty!
Yet, Jesus freely and willingly chose to go up to Jerusalem, knowing that he likely would die in the days ahead. Yet, Jesus was willing to do this for you and for me! In the course of his passion, Jesus was rejected by his own people! Jesus was at the mercy of Pilate and the Roman soldiers. The crowds derided him, spit on him, mocked him and scorned him! Imagine what a nightmare this must have been for Jesus!
Yet, Jesus freely and lovingly came to earth and gave his life for you and for me! Do we truly think of it in that light? Or is this story so familiar that it has lost any power to touch us? Does Jesus’ passion and death truly touch the depths of our minds and our hearts? What are the emotions we experience when we hear the Passion read this week (and we will hear it twice, first on Palm Sunday and then on Good Friday). Do we experience any emotions? Or do we just “listen” to the Passion narrative?
On this Good Friday may we consciously decide to “enter into” Jesus’ passion. May we open our hearts and walk with Jesus as he carries the cross to Calvary! It is the very least we can do. Jesus literally gave “his all” for us! Jesus freely chose to die for us: for you and for me! True, we know this. However, do we truly comprehend the depths of what Jesus did for you and for me?
Today may we ponder the height, the depth and the width of Jesus’ love for us: for you and for me! Truly, there is no greater love!
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