GOOD FRIDAY

THE PRIEST

I have trodden the winepress alone;

Of my people there was none with me. ^a

What are these wounds in Thy hands? ^b

I received them in the house of my friend. ^c

Said my Father, smite the Shepherd,

(and the sheep were all scattered) ^d

He who coheres to Me, my Son, the Word. ^e

I have drunk the cup that was poured for me;

I have laid down my life for my sheep. ^f

THE TEMPLE

Open wide the doors now,

- the veil it is rent –

For the One who comes, the Presence, ^g

Anointed of the Lord.

Earth quakes beneath His bloodied feet;

Sun’s face is hidden, angels awestricken;

For who has seen, who shall speak,

That which we beheld?

What men built for glory ^h

Men shall bring down for shame.

THE LAMB

My task is accomplished; ^j

My Blood the ransom pays. ^k

Lost the Ark, Covenant broken;

Behold I make all things new. ^l

Slain to save all, Gentile and Jew,

Raised high, and yet higher, ^m

Who beneath the Cross fell,

My Covenant of Love conquers

The Prince of hell.

NOTES

 ^a Isaiah 63

^b Zechariah 13 

^c Not “from” my friend.  Abraham was God’s friend.  The Pharisees and scribes claimed to be children of Abraham. 

^d Jesus cites at the Last Supper.

^e Consubstantial with the Father.

^f John 10

^g “Shekinah”, the dwelling or presence of the Lord in the Holy of Holies.

^h Herod built for his own glory; the Romans brought it down to humiliate these “people of God”.

^j “Tetelestai” the last cry of Jesus.  Greek for “to accomplish” meaning “I did exactly what I set out to do”, in the perfect tense, “It is forever done.”

^k I Peter 1 

^l Revelation 21 

^m Reference to the prophecies about the Crucifixion, merged with a reminder of Philippians 2.

© 2022 by Ruth Heredia

 

 

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