Several years ago, we attended a church that had a Good Friday service where we nailed our sins to the cross. It was a quiet, reflective service with scripture reading, prayer, a wooden cross, nails, a hammer, slips of paper, and pencils. The only noise was the sound of hammering, tap, tap, tap. One by one, we approached the cross humbly, in repentance, wrote sins on slips of paper and nailed them to the cross.
As we meditated, a few phrases in scripture resonated deeply –
The prophet Isaiah said, “He was despised, and we esteemed him not.” We esteemed him not — the phrase was convicting in those quiet moments.
He gave his life for me … laid it down …
how can I not give him my all?
The prophet, Isaiah, continued … “the punishment that brought us peace was upon him.” The peace I have, the peace I long for, came with a price, His punishment. My peace was not free – it came at great cost! He bore that punishment for me …
He gave his life for me … laid it down …
how can I not give him my all?
And again from the prophet, Isaiah … “yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” The Online Etymology Dictionary says intercession means “a going between – a noun of action.” Jesus in action on my behalf – going between God and me to plead my case! I hear Him say, “Take me instead; I’ll pay her debt.
He gave his life for me … laid it down …
how can I not give him my all?
Because, dear Christ, your tender, wounded arm
Bends back the brier that edges life’s long way,
That no hurt comes to heart, to soul no harm,
I do not feel the thorns so much to-day.Because I never knew your care to tire,
Your hand to weary guiding me aright,
Because you walk before and crush the brier,
It does not pierce my feet so much to-night.Because so often you have hearkened to
E. P. Johnson
My selfish prayers, I ask but one thing now,
That these harsh hands of mine add not unto
The crown of thorns upon your bleeding brow.
He gave his life for me … laid it down …
how can I not give him my all?
