DAY 39- GOOD FRIDAY
Day 39 – April 18, 2025 (Good Friday)
I’ve always thought it odd that the Friday before Easter was called “Good Friday.” Knowing that this was the day Christ died on the cross for our sins didn’t seem like it was very good at all, at least not for Jesus.
But the word “good” generally means “holy”. Some do exercise special recognition of the noon – 3:00 p.m. timeframe on Good Friday to recognize the death of Christ. Most services recall the biblical account of the seven last words (sayings) of Christ on the cross:
- “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)
- “Today, you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43)
- “Woman, behold, thy son! Behold, thy mother!” (John 19:26-27)
- “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34)
- “I thirst” (John 19:28)
- “It is finished” (John 19:30)
- “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46)
Huntsville First remembers this part of the Easter story in different ways. Attached is a link to our 2018 service when the Sanctuary Choir sang an anthem at the back of the Sanctuary as the altar is stripped of all decoration in recognition of our mourning for Christ’s death.
We challenge you to find a quiet space somewhere today to listen, eyes closed, and imagine witnessing the crucifixion of the Lord. He loves you so much that he gave His life for each and every one of us. Sometimes, it causes us to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Ooh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
NOTE from Huntsville First UMC: Join us tonight in the Sanctuary from 6:00-7:30 for our Good Friday service, a presentation of “The Seven Last Words of Christ” by Theodore Dubois. This special presentation will also feature soloists and Chamber Orchestra. All are welcome!
