to the cross

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Today takes us to the depth of Jesus' love for us at the cross. The disciples have fled, sentence has been given, and Jesus is mocked and nailed to a cross. Spend some time with this story and in prayer with Jesus today. Let the reality of Christ's suffering and the truth of his love sink into your heart. If you want to open your Bible for something to read along with this try the first 12 verses of Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22. Jesus took on all this suffering for us to set us free to love God and love others. Thanks be to God.

To help us enter the story, if you're free during the day there is a Good Friday walk that pairs stations of the cross with what God is doing in the city now. The worship walk starts at West Avenue United Methodist (right at Bull's Head, West and Chili) at 8:45 this morning. There's a group leaving from the church at 8:15. We're also worshiping at Laurelton at 12:30. If you work a more traditional schedule, St. Ambrose (Culver and Empire) is sharing the passion story through mime at 8 pm. Whether on your own with prayer and silence or in worship with others, spend some time with the story today. Jesus loves us and this dark day shows us how much.

God bless,
Sam

Matthew 27:32-54

32As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. 33And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; 36then they sat down there and kept watch over him. 37Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”


38Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42“He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God's Son.’” 44The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.


45From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. 51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”