Day 39 - ‘in-a-minute’
How are you?
They say hindsight is a wonderful thing! This Easter week in 2023 we have hindsight, we know the story has a happy ending, but the early followers of Jesus were astounded by Jesus’ words on Thursday at a meal, what we now call the ‘last supper,’ they were devastated by his trial and crucifixion on Friday, what we call Good Friday. These friends and followers were totally alone, frightened and bereaved on that so-called Good Friday. Their friend, mentor, Saviour, Messiah was gone, deceased. That day, for Jesus' followers, seemed like the end of the road.
Let us not forget the pain and suffering and horror of this weekend way back then because that was the cost our Lord Jesus had to bear for our sin, in order to secure our Salvation. In hindsight, we call it redemption - what a Saviour!
But for now, today, Good Friday, stay in the moment, as Matt 26:53 said and Loretta Lynn sang He could have called 10,000 angels but he died alone for you and me.’
Thank you Lord.
God Bless
Prayer
Grant me, even me, my dearest Lord, to know you, and love you, and rejoice in you... Let the love of you grow every day more and more in me, that my joy may be full in you. Amen (Augustine of Hippo - 354-430 AD)
Loretta Lynn, He could have called 10,000 angels ©Ray Overholt
Today Let us pray for:
People in Leadership
The King and Royal Family
Prime Minister and the cabinet,
Parties of opposition
MP for your area
The Minister of Health
Leaders at your NHS Trust
Prayer
O Lord, Jesus Christ, who art as a shadow of a great rock in a weary land, who beholdest thy weak creatures weary of labour, weary of pleasure, weary of hope deferred, weary of self; in thine abundant compassion, and fellow feeling with us, and unutterable tenderness, bring us, we pray thee, unto thy rest. Amen Christina Rossetti (1830 - 1894)
Lord, give me humility in which alone is rest, and deliver me from pride which is the heaviest of burdens. Possess my whole heart and soul with the simplicity of love. Occupy my whole life with the one thought and the one desire of love, that I may love not for the sake of merit, not for the sake of perfection, not for the sake of virtue, not for the sake of sanctity, but for You alone. Amen Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
A Prayer for Good Friday
Our heavenly Father, look with mercy on us, your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was betrayed and given up into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; Amen BCP adapted
They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where he prayed
They led him thru the streets in shame
They spat upon the saviour so pure and free from sin
They said, "Crucify him: he's to blame
He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set him free
He could have called ten thousand angels
But he died alone, for you and me
To the howling mob, he yielded: he did not for mercy cry
The cross of shame he took alone
And when he cried, "It’s finished," he gave himself to die
Salvation's wondrous plan was done
©Ray Overholt
