Good Friday

The Goodness Found in Suffering: a prayer, a poem, & a playlist

Prayer

At around 3 pm as the afternoon turns black Jesus dies falling like a seed into the ground. Jesus had suffered every hour since his arrest at around 4am. He was tried, sentenced, and was scoured carrying the sin of us all until death.

Isaiah 53:3-5 paints this picture vividly for us.

’ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. ‘

Every suffering He endures is impregnated with hope, everything he suffers is purposeful He becomes sin so that we can be made righteous.

This Holy Friday, may we enter into His suffering. May we make time to lament the injustice and every torture on one who was sinless. But may we also remember Love held him there. May we give thanks for his blood poured out through which we are redeemed. As Malcolm Guite writes in his sonnet on the Crucifixion:

"We see what love can bear and be and do. 
And here our Saviour calls us to his side,
His love is free, his arms are open wide."

Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice  because through it we can have Salvation that invites us into friendship with you. 

Breath Prayer:

Now we offer up our hearts in prayer:

Inhale:  Jesus, perfect Seed,

Exhale: your death sets me free

Good Friday

Good? What good? 
The pain? 
The sorrow and grief? 
The  blood and death? 

Good? What good? 
A love so great 
Completely devalued 
Reviled
And brutally despised

Good? What good? 
Blood flowing 
Blood sprinkling
The Worthy Silent 
Spotless Lamb
Slain

Good? What good?
A crushed seed
The perfect guilt offering
Accomplishing the ultimate 
Sacrifice

Good? What good? 
The Righteous Servant 
Carried our iniquities 
On His body 
To Set us free

Good! Oh Blessed GOod! 
The willing substitute 
Bore our sin on our behalf 
Unmerited grace.

Because He is good! 
So good! 
We are made alive in Him
Oh Good! 
Blessed Good! 

-DFD

Music forever the accompaniment of life. I am so blessed by it and utterly grateful for the way we have it so accessible. May this curated list of songs for today and this weekend walk you gently to the dawn of Easter.

Gracefully,

Daisy