HOLY WEEK BASKET

Place a cross and three large nails in your Holy Week basket.

SCRIPTURE

Read Luke 23:32-43

DEVOTIONS

            On Friday, Jesus died.  He was betrayed, arrested, tried, grilled with questions, beaten, mocked, scourged, forced to carry his cross, nailed through his wrists to the cross beams, nailed through his feet to a foot rest, and left suspended in mid-air for six hours, struggling for every breath, feeling abandoned by his followers and friends and even God, until he died.

A memorable B.C. comic strip raises and answers a common question.

“I hate the term ‘Good Friday.’”

“Why?”

“My Lord was hanged on a tree that day.”

“If you were going to be hanged on that day, and he volunteered to take your place, how would you feel?”

“Good.”

“Have a nice day.”

As the Heidelberg Catechism, Question 1, says, “Jesus Christ…at the cost of his own blood fully paid for all my sins and completely freed me from the dominion of the devil.”  The day that happened was a good Friday.

PRAYER

            Almighty God, who by the death of your Son gave life to me, stir in me profound reflection, saving faith, and life-changing gratitude by the power of your Holy Spirit.  Amen.