Today I've chosen three videos I want to share because of the impression they make on me with both their words and music. They remind me of what Jesus did for me in a very real and vivid way, and I hope they do the same for you.
Warning... They are set to scenes from The Passion... that movie is not something to watch lightly, in my opinion. I've seen it once and I'm not sure when I'll see it again... it sickens me... as it should. The "tame" pictures of Jesus we sometimes see with a little blood trickling from His hands and feet and with the crown of thorns perched on His head - that's not the right mental image we should have when we think of His death. It was brutal. It was bloody. It should make us cringe to think about. . . God - perfect, all powerful, sinless, just and holy - becoming a slaughtered lamb for you and me. . . Because He loves us.
There is something I'd like to point out (at least briefly) that The Passion's portrayal of Jesus' death lacks. Jesus' physical death was not the only wrath He endured on our behalf. On the cross Jesus was separated from God the Father. I don't think we consider that aspect of it as often as we should. It isn't something we can fully wrap our minds around - what it means that God forsook His Son. . . Jesus, who was and is one with God, who had always been with God, who had come to earth in obedience to His Father, was dying in torment and God left Him. In the deepest darkness that we may face as Christians, we have the assurence that God will never leave us... Jesus paid the price so we would never know that kind of suffering.
I pray you will ponder what Jesus' death means as tomorrow we remember Good Friday and Sunday celebrate Easter.
Wish - Brian Littrell
"To hear you pray in the garden alone
Laying down Your will with each tear
To see You walk that lonely road
Willing to die for me
Laying down Your will with each tear
To see You walk that lonely road
Willing to die for me
And in that moment
I know I should have been there
You took my cross and gave Your life
And you live again, oh
And You live again!"
- Wish
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
- In Christ Alone
You Loved Me Anyway - Sidewalk Prophets
I am the thorn in your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas' kiss
But You love me anyway
See now I am the man who yelled out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaken ground
Yes then I turned away with a smile on my face
With this sin in my heart, tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night I still call out for You
So ashamed of my life, my life, my life
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas' kiss
But You love me anyway
See now I am the man who yelled out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaken ground
Yes then I turned away with a smile on my face
With this sin in my heart, tried to bury Your grace
And then alone in the night I still call out for You
So ashamed of my life, my life, my life
But You love me anyway
Oh God, how You love me
Oh God, how You love me
Yes You love me anyway
It's like nothing in life
That I've ever known
Yes You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me!"
- You Loved Me Anyway
~Ophelia - Marie
...It's been awhile since I've cried this much; and I doubt I've ever had such a reason for doing it. Excellent post. Thank you, Ophelia. =)
ReplyDeleteIt is beyond mind blowing to think...those videos as powerful as they are, are but a glimpse of a glimpse at the...the tamer part of His sacrifice. The real Suffering...*looks very much forward to casting himself at his Rescuer's feet when he is made new once and forever*
*Quiet* Perhaps it's strange to say, but I'm glad you had that reaction. When we really think about His death, we should be deeply shaken. Thank you for the hand you had in part of the writing of this post.
ReplyDeleteYes... yes it is... Mind blowing and humbling. *Also looks forward to that* Oh for the day when we shall be forever with Him in His presence. *Smiles*
*nods* I don't think it's strange to say at all...I'm glad I had it, too. I agree.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, I'm glad I could help...you handled that part of the post very well--I love how you said it. =)
Yes. Oh, yes. *smiles back* It's the hopeful and sure 'happily ever after' that He bought for us...and at the same time a new way and life with which to thank Him. *can't wait*