Lent 2014
Good Friday—April 18, 2014
Read Scripture: Isaiah 52:13—53:12
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way,
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.—Isaiah 53:4-6
This oracle dates all the way back to 540 BC, about 45 years after the destruction of Jerusalem. The Israelites were in captivity and had just about given up on God. The prophet wanted to assure them even in the worst of times that God was still with them and that they were still God’s people. God was sending One who would save them.
On this day 2000+ years ago, Jesus’ followers that were not hiding out of fear stood at the foot of his cross. Their great hope was dying a shameful, painful death and there was nothing they could do about it. Some of them surely took comfort in reaching back 540 or so years to hear these gut wrenching words of salvation. Some probably said “We thought it was him.” Other said, “We told you he was a fraud.” Do you suppose there were a few who said even at the foot of the cross, “He is the One.”?
Handel may have captured the moment best in four pieces from his work, Messiah. These horribly descriptive words are set to profound music. The story of love can best be told in music. God’s love defies our words alone. God’s love demands music and art and poetry and we still fall short.
Today, Good Friday, is a day to know you are loved so much that God sent his only Son to save you. Hold on to that. The journey is just beginning.
Prayer: Thank you Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you Lord, for making me whole. Thank you Lord for giving to me thy great salvation so rich and free. Amen—Lyrics and Music: Seth and Bessie Sykes
The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.