CRUCIFIXION  DAY

Written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

 

I lived a very long time ago…

But my story….I want you to know.

I was once a very evil man

A murderous thief with self-laid plan

My heart imprisoned in man-made hell

Please listen to the story I tell.

The reports of Jesus, I had heard

But I scoffed at every word.

My soul festered with disbelief.

For my torment, I found no relief.

I knew of His healing powers

And words of His teaching hours.

I heard He even raised the dead

…..That’s what His followers said.

By a brief encounter with God’s Son

When His earthly life was nearly done.

My own heart was softened and changed

My entire life re-arranged.

We made eye contact that day

For only a moment before I ran away.

As I ran---the crowd seemed to part

To avoid the evil in my heart.

When I was a safe distance away

…..Something made me stop and stay.

What was that look on His face ???

I’ve never seen that---any place !!

Was it a depth of love I’d never known ???

Or a mercy I’d never been shown ???

I was captivated by Jesus. God-Man.

As I followed the crucifixion caravan.

From a distance, I saw the mistreating

His flesh ripped and torn at the beating,

The glisten of soldier’s spit

As they encircled Him, mocked and hit.

I saw the blood run down His face,

As the crown of thorns was put in place.

Once again, His eyes found mine

And moments were frozen in time…..

I thought I might get sick

As the lump in my throat grew thick.

But I followed as they led Him away

On that Crucifixion Day.

How could they crucify Him ??

This man that had no sin.

Jesus had committed no crime !

The sentence of death should have been mine !

I watched Him stagger, Bloody and pale.

I heard the women mourn and wail.

The sound of hammer and spike

…..I couldn’t bear the sight !!

I watched the painful breaths He’d take.

I heard the moans He’d make.

As He hung upon death’s tree

….. He scanned the crowd…and looked at me…..

Once again we were eye to eye

As darkness filled the sky

I stood in darkness from 6 until 9

And I saw Him breathe for the very last time.

I saw His body, after He died

…..As His Mother held Him …. And cried.

I watched His body wrapped in white.

I’ll never forget that sight !

I knelt at His empty cross that day

In a pool of His blood, I fell to pray.

Jesus died for my sin and shame…..

…..Barabbas is my name.

Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

“What shall I do, then, with the one you call king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. “Crucify Him!” they shouted “Why? What crime has He committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!” Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and had Him handed over to be crucified.

Mark 15:6-15

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CRUCIFY HIM by Donna (Ensign) Woods

They didn’t sing, “How Great Thou Art”.
They didn’t parise Him with a joyful heart.
Instead, they screamed, “Crucify Him!!!”
As He prepared to die for all our sin.
Barabas was released from prison, and set free,
But Jesus was led away to die for you and me.
So many laughed, and mocked His name,
As He was nailed to the cross for all sin and shame.
I’m sure He shed a tear or two,
As He prayed to God for me and you.
Jesus prayed for believers to be united as one
As the Father is united with His son.
His love and compassion is so great,
Here in the midst of so much anger and hate.
His beloved Peter denied Him three times that night.
The number of times we’ve denied Him is a terrible sight!
They cast lots for His clothes and mocked Him with sneers
While Mary and the others watched with heart-felt tears.
A King with no jewels to adorn
Only a dirty…bloody crown of thorns!
From the sixth hour until the ninth, the sun refused to shine.
As Jesus died for all sin…theirs, yours and mine…
Close your eyes and feel the awesome power of it…
“Father unto your hands I commit my Spirit.”
We were all there, you and I…
For each of us… He chose to suffer and die.
It doesn’t matter how great or small our sin and shame,
The price He paid for it was still the same.
The sights and sounds of that crucifiction day
Should make us all eager to bow and pray.
The sounds of a nail, being pounded into His hand…
We should still hear it…echo across this land.
Imagine the blood…crimson upon His face
As He hung there…in YOUR place!!!
Joseph took His body to the tomb…His burial place
Later, they found only the cloth, He was gone…without a trace.
Can you imagine their horror and dismay??
They thought someone had stolen their Lord away.
The angel said, He is not here, but do not weep.
Jesus rose from the dead to fulfill the promise to His sheep.
Then, He went to Heaven, to prepare us a place.
Through Baptism, He blesses us with His saving grace.
You are the one He loves and adores…
But, It’s Heaven or Hell, the choice is yours!!!
Imagine…looking into Jesus eyes, as He died for you.
Then search your heart and ask…”WHAT AM I GOING TO DO??”

Worship Spotlight 3 22 10 - by Theresa Zuber

What will you and your family do to make this Easter more meaningful? Perhaps watch the movie, “Passion of the Christ”? Each day read through the appropriate passages that depict what transpired during Christ’s final week? Attend the Seder Meal at Scott Avenue on Thursday evening? Take some time to spend in silence on Good Friday, remembering the hours Christ suffered on the cross? Invite your un-churched family to join you on Easter morning as you attend either our 8 am or 10:30 am service?

Jesus Christ overcame death so that we could have hope of living forever with our Father in heaven! Don’t let this Easter come and go in a whirlwind of eggs and bunnies. Worship our Risen Savior for the gift He has give us!!!

The Triumphal Entry – Mark 11:1-11
Clearing of the Temple – Mark 11:15-19
Plot to Kill Jesus/Judas – Mark 14:1-11
The Last Supper – Mark 14:12-16
Jesus Washes Disciples’ Feet – John 13:1-17
He Predicts Peter’s Denial – Luke 11:31-34
Jesus Prayer for All Believers – John 17:1-26
Garden of Gethsemane/Betrayal/Arrest – Matt 26:36-56
Peter’s denial’s – Luke 22:54-62
Jesus Sentenced to Death – Matt 27:15-26
Crucifixion – Luke 23:26-49
Burial/Guard – Matt 27:57-66
Resurrection – Luke 24:1-12

Seder Meal – Reminder: April 1st at 6:30 will be our Seder Meal. This service will give you an in depth appreciation of the symbolism of Jesus as the true sacrificial lamb. Come join us as we explore the Jewish Passover traditions and focus on the way it ties into our Christian celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

Please note: Although this is called a Seder Meal, it is symbolic in nature and not intended to replace your evening meal.