Lent Day 39 – Holy Week Devotion – Good Friday, March 29, 2024
Go to Dark Gethsemane
Montgomery, Redhead
Go to dark Gethsemane
All who feel the tempter's pow'r
Your Redeemer's conflict see
Watch with him one bitter hour
Turn not from his griefs away
Learn from Jesus Christ to pray
Calv'ry's mournful mountain climb
There adoring at his feet
Mark the miracle of time
God's own sacrifice complete
"It is finished!" hear him cry
Learn from Jesus Christ to die
“When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
How do you feel when you are in the middle of something important, something you believe in, something that is physically draining, something that is more stressful than you anticipated or desired? This is not an easy place to be.
Few emotions are as satisfying as accomplishment, as getting something done, as finally being finished.
Jesus on the cross proclaims many of these same emotions. He is physically drained. He has been fulfilling something he and The Father believe in. This part of God's 'something,' this part of salvation's plan, this part of grace is finished in Jesus giving up his spirit.
As our Lenten journey comes quickly to a close, we soon end our emphasis, 'Alive And Anew, In Grace Alone.' At the close of each service, we share in a Benediction, in a blessing, sending us on our way. We end our worship, trusting there is something more for us to go and do, that we are blessed, that in grace alone, we go on our way, alive and anew, and The Spirit goes with us. Leaving the cross today, we trust there is more still to come, while our emphasis may end, our new life continues, as we trust God's grace alone will keep saving us, lifting us up, blessing us with hope and strength.
Even though we like finishing those callings, demands, challenges, hurdles, obstacles, tasks, experiences, uncertainties before us - most often, getting finished with one thing simply means we move on to start the next.
It is finished – yes; this part of God's plan is finished. It is also beginning, yes; as the next part of God's plan is about to begin. What has the crucified Christ finished in you this Lenten season? What is the risen Christ ready to begin in you this night, this weekend, this Easter, as your journey continues? Trust our God's saving grace alone will bless you along the way!
Let us pray: Jesus, today I tell you I have much that is unfinished in my life. I am easily overwhelmed. Send your Spirit to me today that I might be blessed with strength when my spirit and heart feel drained. Give me faith as I trust all you finish in the mystery of this most holy day, as I believe you are here finishing all you have begun in me. In your grace alone, I learn how to die, and how to live, trusting all you have yet to begin anew in me, as I pray. Amen.
