We at CLIMB think often of how God chose us to be his vessels. What have we done that could possibly merit such a privilege? Nothing! I was recently settling on that wonder for a moment longer than usual. I sat humbled in the knowledge that the same Jesus that was beaten, spit upon, hated, mocked, hung, and pierced, the man who poured out his very blood on my behalf continues day in and day out to represent me to our Father.
In Hebrews 7:25 (CSB) we are assured this, “Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.” As if torture and death weren’t enough? My pathetic inability to walk in his ways moment to moment, my caving to temptation, returning to ways once repented, this sends him to my Father? Yet, he invites me into his presence. He yearns for me to accept my “humanness”, to sit at his feet and be free in and through him. WHY is it so extremely difficult to give him our burdens? Ah, this being human requires humility, amen?! On this “Good” Friday – in my mind the world’s original “Black” Friday – be still. Reflect upon the words in one of my favorite songs, lyrics here:
Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified
Follow Christ to the holy mountain
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flowed
For you and for me and for all
At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night
On the hillside, you were delivered
At the foot of the cross justified
And Your spirit restored
By the river that poured
From our blessed Savior’s side
At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night
Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified
At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night
Songwriters: Derald E. Daugherty / Steve J. Hindalong
Beautiful, Scandalous Night lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group