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Good Friday: We Don't Know What We're Doing

From Eric Corbin...

 As I write, I have just returned from the joint Good Friday service with First Methodist Church.  Their pastor read from Luke's account of the crucifixion of Jesus, ending at verse 34 of chapter 23: "Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.'"  We also heard a wonderful soloist sing from "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" the haunting words "We didn't know it was you."

I'm reminded of this meme:
I think we all feel that way sometimes, maybe often.  We don't know what we're doing in our families, our jobs, in our churches.  On this day, though, we must reflect specifically on the cross and our role in Jesus' death; on how we don't know what we're doing when it comes to Jesus.

"Sweet Little Jesus Boy" continues:
You have shown us how
And we are trying
Master you have shown us how
Even when you were dying

 Just seems like we can't do right
Look how we treated you
But please forgive us Lord
We didn't know it was you 

We didn't know it was you, Lord.  Matthew 25:31-46 is one of the most challenging passages of scripture for me.  Verse 40: "‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me’" and verse 45: "‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’"  We didn't know it was you, Lord.

It was Jesus.  It is Jesus.  We didn't know what we were doing.  We don't know what we're doing. But it is Him, and we have crucified Him.

From "How Deep the Father's Love for Us"
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

 It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

Whether or not you are able to do a fast from one or two meals today as suggested by Haverkamp, her words give us a great entry point for our reflection: "Offer the emptiness, solitude, and pain of this fast as a deepening in your body, mind, and soul, of the grace and mystery of the cross and crucifixion."

Behold the man upon a cross...I know that it is finished.

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