GOOD FRIDAY

 

Growing up, my mom had simple rules but on Good Friday, no TV, no radio, eating small meals. I appreciate my childhood, the way I was raised. Today I turned on my music, hymns like Blessed Assurance, Amazing Grace, This is Amazing Grace, and many others. I sat listening and thinking, He gave His life for me. No greater love is there. Jesus walked this earth as a human and suffered unimaginable pain and suffering, to take on the entire sins of the entire world. It still stuns me to this very day. So I try to follow Him as closely as I can, and I am so imperfect . But I know He loves me. I know I never walk alone, through  happiness, sadness, and everything in-between.  What an incredible selfless act for all.

The artist Richard Hook (1938-2010) painted the original colored piece of Jesus. It is called a "Hook Head". I was able to have the black and white version put on canvas later. But a friend from high school, Randy Pape worked at the local Christian bookstore, Scripture Supply in our hometown of Pueblo and gave me the colored art piece.  I have seen many renditions of Jesus but I believe this is about as close to the biblical description  of Him as there is.

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ISAIAH 53:2

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Philippians 2:5-7 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” 

Matthew 17:2-3 “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.  And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.”

Grateful for the gift I was given of Jesus Christ. I really came to understand who He was in the 2nd grade. I knew no saint, no person, no church authority could save me. I learned it from the parish pastor who like Jesus, was a simple man and a carpenter.

MAY THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS SACFRIFICE. HIS RESURRECTION AND HIS LOVE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL ON THIS EARTH TOUCH YOU ON THIS BEAUTIFUL EASTER WEEKEND.