Good Friday

MEDITATION FOR GOOD FRIDAY
Taken from ‘Christ died at Notting Hill’ by Michael Hollings

Jesus’ Words to You from the Cross

What a day! If you really believe that Jesus Christ, born into this world of the Virgin Mary is not only her son but truly the Son of God, can you wonder at the description in St Luke (Luke 23:44) about the darkness over the whole land? No matter whether it was an eclipse or something else, or even nothing other than imagination – the event in itself was enough to be what we sometimes call ‘earth-shaking’.

As we stand, sit or kneel at the Cross on this day of days, what are our thoughts to be? Believe me, you should be there and you should look on Christ crucified, and you should allow your mind to dwell there. I do not know what will emerge from within you. Nor do you! Leave it to God, and rely on his Spirit to guide you, his love to melt you.

Jesus has spoken from the Cross. He has asked his Father, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ We could be included in that statement and request….. we scarcely know what we are doing sometimes when we sin. We are caught up in our own purposes, which blot out everything else. That is what sin is like – the object becomes good to us, though bad in itself. But Jesus forgives us – and we can respond by sorrow, love and positive service.

Jesus had promised paradise to the thief who defends him and asks to be with him. ‘Today you will be with me in Paradise.’ Is this not an example for us? Jesus wants us with him, however bad, if only we want to be with him. His condition is our desire for friendship, love and closeness. As you are there – say from your heart – I know you love me! I am sorry I love you so little! Help me to love you more!

Another word has come from Jesus, a terrible and terrifying word: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ For us this is a most important cry, harrowing as it is. For we can come to that pit of despond where we seem to lose all hope. It is of immense importance that Jesus tasted that depth. I have tasted it! sometimes through my own fault, because I have been in the depth of sin and this has led me to feel cut off from God – but stupidly; in a way angry that he is not in touch with me as I wallow! Then there have been other times when I have been deeply in prayer, and he has disappeared, leaving me feeling utterly empty and bereft. I don’t say I know what Jesus went through. Of course I don’t. But I can know that he understands my anguish.

Christ dies. On this day, nearly two thousand years ago, it must have seemed the end. Those solid, loving few stood at the Cross. Jesus himself said, ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30). If they heard that, what did they think – the end? Or did they know he meant that he had done his Father’s will to the end? He had finished the work he had to do…. and as the other evangelist wrote: ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ (Luke 23:46)

Scripture Reading
John 19: 25-30

Prayer
Blessed Saviour, who in your hours of desolation hung upon the cross,
stretching forth your loving arms:
embrace us in those arms, that your cross may be our cross:
so that we may embrace all who are desolate,
and for whom you died and rose again,
that all people may live like you
in the image and likeness of your Father,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be glory forever. Amen.