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Good on FridayFriday, April 22, 2011
Hebrews 4:14-16 (from The Message) Take the mercy. Accept the help. Jesus does not look down on any of us, except from the cross he climbs to die. His vantage point has never been that of the Perfect marking the problems and failures of the fallen ones. And he cries out loud when I do that to you, or you do that to me. When I do that to myself. Weeps and pleads. Let me rescue you! Don't you want to be healed? While this day plods inexorably on, while Jesus writhes in pain, while he dies, what am I doing? How foolish to look anywhere but up into his eyes? I might look in judgment or fear on my brother, but when I turn back to Jesus I see what I've been missing. How much he loves me. Loves my brother. Both of us. One family. There is only one river. Take the mercy. Accept the help. I have friends and family. We love each other. Do I sometimes taste the sweet juice in my mouth of the simple words "I'm sorry?" Or smell the marvelous aroma of "Thank you" in my nose, spoken in gratitude for touch and help and empathy and sacrifice? Jesus is so pleased to see me love across the old borders, set aside my defense and open up my arms. He said to John, "Behold your mother," and John said YES. Tears falling all around, love wins. So much sadness while the old man dies. Take the mercy. Accept the help. So much joy as the new man's born. It's Friday, Lord, dark and black. Sunday's coming. Can I wait that long? Wait with me, watch with me, Lord. Jesus is near, and he is coming soon. |
Jesus said to the man, to the woman, to each of us, "Do you want to be healed?"