Good friday's over. But I still find myself lingering around...in thoughts of His death. Perhaps in the rush and busyness of my day to day time...it's a much forgotten side. And the fact about Christ's death? It blows my mind.Sure...there's the part about Him turning water in wine...walking on water, calming the storm...healing the blind, sick and dead...even resurrecting from the dead. But these are the great and marvelous things...things that leave us in awe...what more can we expect from the Son of God huh?
But....death? Death by cross in humility? The One who holds the universe in His hands, held upon the wooden cross by nails...it doesn't make sense. Not at all.
Christ receiving praise, adoration, honour and glory? Yup...amen to that. But Him being lashed,
spitted at, ridiculed, and disgraced?That doesn't fit into the picture at all.
And so...what can we really say that will sufficiently express our gratitude? Nothing really.
It was a pretty good service we had on friday. Having 3 speakers touch on various aspects of the message of Good Friday and songs to carry the message...it was cool. A particular song was on my mind though. 'Above All' was the song used halfway through the service. And as I sat there listening to Yeepeng lead the song...I was suddenly whisked back to my Serve days in the year 2000. 5 years ago...
It was in the wee hours of the morning...roughly 5am. We had just arrived at St Margaret's secondary school. Our Serve team was going to have a presentation for the school's Religious Emphasis Week (REW). We would be re-enacting the scene of Jesus's cruxifixion, followed by a song conveyed through sign language. Basically, I was playing the role of Jesus. I remember feeling so anxious over it...I really felt so lacking for that role, and I really didn't want to spoil things with my inadequecy and all. But we had already gone through countless rehearsals and the day had come.
My heart was pounding madly...and my mind was in a blank. I really needed Him. I found a corner by myself...and with earphones connected...I listened to the song 'Above All'. Too anxious to say anything...I listened quietly and intently. I found myself so deep into the song...every word and tune of it...it spoke to me...not about the performance...but about His passionate love for me....
Above all powers, above all kings
Above all nature, and all created things
Above all wisdom, and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders, the world has ever known
Above all wealth, and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth
Crucified, laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all
The song soon ended...but it continued to echo and ring through my heart throughout. Tears of gratitude flowed uncontrollably. Never have I been so deeply entrenched in realising His love for me. God loves me! What can you say to something like that? Nothing...and so I asked what did He had to say to me....
This is My love to you child...and to all the people out there. Simple to receive...yet ever so deep and profound to fully grasp. The blood shed and pain endured had its purposes...and so do you, as you take this role. Tell the people I love them.I love you, and I will be with you.
And so, holding on to those precious words from Him...I stepped forth to perform for Him...every movement and action carried by feelings of fear, hope and resolution unto Him. Soon, it was all finished, done for Him.
My friend who was in the role of the roman soldier came to me anxiously right after the performance. Apparently, he had accidentally whipped me forcefully on my back with the leather belth as I was falling. He heard a loud "PIAK" of the whip on my back...and was almost too shocked to continue acting. Daniel Li who was the other roman soldier had seen it too.
But...I didn't feel anything at all! No pain...nothing on my back throughout the acting. No bruise or anything either. Woah...I don't know...but it certainly is some divine covering and protection from Him. Mind blowing indeed.
"I love you, and I will be with you."
Indeed....how true...how true...
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[Forgive Me] - Steve Green
As I hold Your broken body
And drink Your bitter cup
Help me realize the depth
Of Your redeeming love
And for all the sin in me
Any sin at all
Forgive me, forgive me
Through the constant struggle
That never seems to cease
As in life, so is the cross
It too was bittersweet
As I receive this sacrament
A holy mystery
I'm amazed You're sharing it with me
You were crushed
You were bruised
You were scorned
You were used
So here am I with nothing left
But praise for You
Praise for You
