On this day when we remember Jesus’ incredible sacrifice for us, it’s sometimes hard to put into words just how much it means to me that Jesus gave up his life on a cross so that I can become holy in the sight of God. Instead of writing my own piece today, I’d like to share some of the readings, articles, videos and songs that have allowed me to draw near to God today and meditate on what Good Friday is all about:
‘For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
‘Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.’ (Colossians 11-23a)
Podcast:
24-7 Prayer Good Friday podcast – Charlie Mackesy is an internationally renowned artist who has spent hundreds of hours meditating on the cross while painting a triptych at St. Paul’s Church in Hammersmith (London). This has been the most moving piece I’ve found day.
Articles:
Archbishop John Sentamu: Good Friday – In Darkness, Show The Light Of God
Archbishop Cranmer: Good Friday: love so amazing, so divine
Bishop Nick Baines: Hardly relevant
Songs:
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You bled your heart out
Now I feel love beat in my chest
How wonderful
You gave your beauty
In exchange for my ugliness
How wonderful
You left your perfection
And embraced our rejection
How marvellous, how boundless
Is Your love, is Your love
How wonderful, sacrificial
Is Your love for me
You put on our chains
Sent us out through the open door
How wonderful
You took our sadness
Crowned us with joy and real peace
How wonderful
You left Your perfection
And fought for our redemption
Yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me
How wonderful
Yes Jesus loves me
This is love
You gave Yourself
(c) Rend Collective Experiment 2009
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When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
Isaac Watts 1707
God and Politics in the UK 
Love so amazing so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. Amen