GOOD FRIDAY: In PRAISING...VERSES

VINEGAR AND SAP...
OFFERED TO QUENCH A DRY CORD!
IT'S HOT MOCKING DAY.

THORNS AND LASHES FELT.
WOUNDED DAYS FOR HEAV'N AND EARTH.
HEAT AND HATE UNITE.

SUFFERING IN STRIDE!
MEEKLY GIVING UP THE DAY.
EARTHLY LIFE EXPIRED.

WORLD'S IN FULL DECAY.
SPRINGS OF LIFE HE LEFT TO SAVE.
WHAT...CHAOTIC DAY!

from:Praising All Seasons Long
Comfort Publishing, 2009

Why has this day of Jesus' suffering on the cross been called "good"?

Reading Matthew 26 and 27, Mark 14 and 15,Luke 22 and 23, and John 18 and 19, we know that Jesus suffered a lot. He showed the human side of him by feeling the pain. He showed sorrow and heaviness of heart. He prayed to let the "cup pass from Him". Nevertheless, He also knew that His suffering was part of the plan. He came to save the troubled world. And this is why we have called the "Day of Agony" good. It is the day that the ultimate price of our sin is paid. It is the day God gives everyone the ultimate gift of love. All we have to do is to acknowledge and accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

Today is the Easter vigil. Let's continue to contemplate the death of Jesus. Let us meditate the verses in John 19: 38-42. Let's be ready to welcome Christ's resurrection.

Blessings!

NOTE: If you live close to Pasadena, California and would like to celebrate the "Day of Ressurection" this Sunday, come and worship with us at Lake Avenue Church.

The 9am and 11am services will begin with a concerto for two violinists and strings in A minor (Vivaldi). The Sanctuary Choir will follow it with "Easter Song" (arranged by Hayes). The church will then sing "Christ is Risen Today" and "In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock". A soloist will render "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" (Handel). The Symphony Orchestra will play "Variations on a Theme by Haydn" (Brahms). The choir will sing "Worthy is the Lamb" (Handel's Messiah) before the message of Dr. Greg Waybright, Lake's Senior Pastor and former president of Trinity International University in Illinois.