Marsha Gupton
14th April 2006, 11:31 AM (11:31)
used by permission by the editor of The Upper Room www.upperroom.org
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EMBRACING REALITY
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Mark 15:21-32 (NRSV)
They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.
It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!" In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.
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Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for our sins.
- Hebrews 10:12 (NRSV)
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WHEN I opened the door to the church, I saw that the sanctuary was lighted by candles and there was a funereal black drape on the cross. A few worshipers wearing somber expressions sat quietly in their seats. I slid into a seat in the back so I could make a quick exit if I found the service too upsetting.
I had never been to a Good Friday worship service. I did not like thinking about the Crucifixion. I had been content to focus on the joy of Easter Sunday, skipping over the events of Good Friday because they made me feel uncomfortable. But as I matured in my faith, I realized that embracing the reality of Good Friday would help me more fully appreciate the gift of Easter Sunday.
So there I was in a dimly lit church, listening to the Crucifixion story from the Gospel of Mark. At the end of the reading we were reminded that Christ made his incredible sacrifice so that each one of us might have eternal life. In that somber setting, the reality of what Christ had done suddenly became real and personal for me. I left the church with a firmer hold on my faith and a deeper resolve to move closer to the One who loves me more than I deserve.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the gift of eternal life that was bought with your blood. In your name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
What makes Christ's sacrifice real and personal for you?
-- Vicki Hines (Tennessee, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Those participating in Lenten worship services
_________________________
Upper Room Ministries | 1908 Grand Avenue | P.O. Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
_________________________
EMBRACING REALITY
_________________________
Mark 15:21-32 (NRSV)
They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.
It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!" In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.
_________________________
Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for our sins.
- Hebrews 10:12 (NRSV)
_________________________
WHEN I opened the door to the church, I saw that the sanctuary was lighted by candles and there was a funereal black drape on the cross. A few worshipers wearing somber expressions sat quietly in their seats. I slid into a seat in the back so I could make a quick exit if I found the service too upsetting.
I had never been to a Good Friday worship service. I did not like thinking about the Crucifixion. I had been content to focus on the joy of Easter Sunday, skipping over the events of Good Friday because they made me feel uncomfortable. But as I matured in my faith, I realized that embracing the reality of Good Friday would help me more fully appreciate the gift of Easter Sunday.
So there I was in a dimly lit church, listening to the Crucifixion story from the Gospel of Mark. At the end of the reading we were reminded that Christ made his incredible sacrifice so that each one of us might have eternal life. In that somber setting, the reality of what Christ had done suddenly became real and personal for me. I left the church with a firmer hold on my faith and a deeper resolve to move closer to the One who loves me more than I deserve.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the gift of eternal life that was bought with your blood. In your name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
What makes Christ's sacrifice real and personal for you?
-- Vicki Hines (Tennessee, U.S.A.)
PRAYER FOCUS: Those participating in Lenten worship services
_________________________
Upper Room Ministries | 1908 Grand Avenue | P.O. Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA