Tag: When I survey the wondrous cross

Good Friday 29th March 2024

“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 because the sun’s light failed. The temple curtain was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And after he said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all those who knew Jesus stood at a distance, and the women who had followed him from Galilee saw these things.” Luke 23:44-49 NET

Father,

We read these scriptures every year in the Easter season and many other times too. Yet Your Word always comes with fresh inspiration and awe. Noon till 3 pm – darkness. I remember dark stormy days. But this one was different, supernatural dark. All sunlight failed . . . It was not a solar eclipse. Not ten minutes not even an hour. Three hours. And it ended the moment You died on the cross.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two. A massive curtain, 60 feet high, 30 feet wide, woven and extremely thick. Bigger than any theatre curtain and bigger than any I can imagine. This curtain kept the holy place in the Temple, holy, private. One priest entered once a year and only after many, many animal sacrifices for sin. The Temple curtain was not a symbolic veil, it could not be torn by human hand, it did not fall by accident. The curtain was rent in two.

Three hours while Jesus went through agony. Yet He listening with compassion to the other two men crucified with him. Hearing ones confession and granting Him forgiveness. Jesus went through every human emotion and pain. And being separated even from You, God. He understands our humanity, trauma and pain.

Even the crowd went home beating their breasts in the dark. Those who knew him stayed at a distance. Waiting, grief stricken. Help us to worship and realise that because of what Jesus went through we will never have to go through that darkness.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father,

For our family, friends and neighbours. For Your light to dawn upon them.
For our nation, to retain the foundation of Your law of justice and mercy.
For there to be a respect for life in this nation and the world.
For Your light to show up darkness and bring healing and rescue to those imprisoned by addiction, evil thoughts and actions and depression.
For Ukraine, Gaze, Sudan, Myanmar places of conflict. Your light to lead to a way of peace.
For us to consider the darkness You went through to better understand the cost of our light of life.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 29th March 2024

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count as loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ my God:
the very things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down:
when did such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all!

Lyrics: Isaac Watts



Friday 22nd March 2024

“Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 NET

“Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.” Romans 13:14 NET

God of peace,

It’s the unpredictable things that push out my peace and usher in annoyance, self sympathy and impatience, Father God. Like the washer breaking down (never when it is empty of water), breaking a glass on the kitchen tap, stubbing my toe . . . walking mud in from the garden, dribbling lunch down a clean jumper. And those jumper stains remind me that I am not just grubby without but easily daily stained with sin within.

How wonderful it was to put on the Lord Jesus Christ that first time and Know I was forgiven, cleansed through and through, inside and out. Robed in His pure clean holiness. A robe of humility, compassion, gentleness, patience and kindness and divine shining holiness. Restored to peace and well being in place of our earthly annoyances and irritation.

We are grateful that, but we need You to keep us clean. The times when we loose it a little or a lot, You, Lord restore us. We are re-laundered inside and out. Remind us on this lent walk, towards the cross, that it cost You everything and us nothing. You give and give again and again. Thank You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of peace,

For our family, friends and neighbours. Hold them. Help them in their joys and pains.
For those we have difficulties with. Help us not to exasperate the situation even if we are right.
For our church family, Ministers and church leadership. Keep the way forward true and good.
For the Royal family. Their health. To have some privacy along with their public duties.
For our government. House of commons, House of Lords, civil servants. You sort and guide.
For our nearest towns and cities and city centres. For employment, development and growth.
For schools in the busy week before the holidays. That Easter would be explained to them.
For those on the front line in the NHS and police. Ambulance crew, rapid response, air ambulance.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Deal with Putin as with Pharaoh so he will let the people go.
For a solution for Gaza and peace and healing and a way to rebuild relationships and homes.
For countries where there is conflict, oppression or famine – be their providers and support.
For all the church volunteers serving their communities and neighbours.
For us to know Your peace of forgiveness, to feel renewed, as we wash and put on clean clothes.
For a good day with good thoughts and feeling to follow.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 22nd March 2024
At the time of Watts’ birth (1674), churches in England sang only metrical psalms. But by the time of his death (1748), he had planted the seeds of a much more complex hymnody. His 600 hymns found in seven collections made the transition from a rigid, metrical psalmody to a freer, theologically-based hymnody.
Wonderful worship.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Lyrics: Isaac Watts