Good Friday

He felt the excruciating pain; the hard, splintering wood pressed
against his back. The nails piercing skin and bone. Why had he chosen
this road? He tasted blood. Dripping down his face, down his body.
Open. Bleeding. Naked. And he hung there, struggling for every breath,
feeling the weight of death. And the bright sky turned to
darkness.
Arms stretched wide to welcome you?

And all the sin of the world came upon him; burdening, horrifying,
maddening! Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Where was He? Where was the
One of Life? He couldn't feel Him anymore! The presence was gone. The
pain and hurts and sicknesses of all mankind fell upon his shoulders.
His words echoed throughout the ages: My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me? And the angels cringed.
Arms held open to love you?

The angels were ready. Dressed in glory, prepared for battle. Waiting
for the battle cry. But it did not come. The Man they knew was God was
dying. If He had called they would have been there to conquer? to
conquer sin and death forever. But He did not call. Was this the plan?
Could it be? was this God's mystery finally revealed? That He would die
on the cross - despised and humiliated by the very men He came to
save?
Come to me, says the God of love?

The temple curtain tore in two. The earth shook and the rocks split.
Dead saints walked the earth. And the centurion fell on his face. An
unbeliever proclaiming God's news, "Surely he was the Son of
God."
The way is open, child. Just come.

?The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he
had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for
you; do this in remembrance of me?"

My blood was shed for you

I took your sins, your shame, your pain

I love you no matter what you do

Just come to Me, and call upon My name.

? In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is
the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in
remembrance of me?"

Arm stretched wide to welcome you

Arms held open to love you

Come to me, says the God of love

The way is open, child. Just come.

? For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the
Lord's death until he comes?