Were You There?
Remembering Christ’s last days before the crucifixion as I have spent Holy Week in Victoria, Australia…
This week my friend and I took the train into Melbourne. We visited St Paul’s Cathedral (Anglican Church) and our time spent in this magnificent cathedral held special meaning to us.
As I mentioned in a Note this week:
The Prodigal Son portrait by Rembrandt was displayed in the St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral as way for the window story volunteers to share the gospel message in an interactive way.
I came upon a volunteer interacting with a boy about this powerful story. The boy responded that he saw forgiveness and love in the father’s embrace.
Tears flooded my eyes. This painting and this biblical story (see Luke 15:11-32) spoke so clearly to my heart.
Listening to a boy hear more about God’s love through this older woman who joyfully shared the good news through this art touched something deep inside me.
The story of Christ’s forgiveness and gracious embrace continues to be something so moving to me.
I too have received the Father’s mercy. I didn’t deserve His beautiful embrace and the adoption into His family made possible by Christ’s sacrifice.
But when God looks at us, He sees us through eyes of grace and tenderness because He sees us through the blood of Christ.
I am so very thankful.
(Art in picture below is by Kevin Carden, used with permission and license.)
Tonight my friends and I drive to St Andrews in Brighton where we attended the Good Friday Tenebrae Service.
The acoustics in that Anglican Church were gorgeous. The youth choir looked young but as I heard them perform the pieces of this traditional service I felt stunned at their beautiful voices.
This traditional music and Scripture on Good Friday shares the journey to the cross as the Scriptures recount the events leading up to the crucifixion and Christ’s suffering for our redemption.
The pure voices of the younger boys and the teenagers blended so well, and the whole youth choir sang between Scripture readings. Of course hearing God’s Word read by the Australian voices had a special flavor as well.
They extinguished the candles one by one until only the Christ candle remained. The loud sound symbolized the tearing of the veil and the sanctuary sat in darkness.
We left quietly, reflecting on Christ’s agony and suffering as He willingly gave His life for us.
I am eternally grateful.
(Photos taken earlier in the evening as I prayed on the beach in Chelsea.)
St Andrews in Brighton, pictured below, where the Tenebrae Service helped us reflect on Christ’s sacrificial suffering and crucifixion so that we (who trust in Him) might have an eternal hope.
But we also have the opportunity to be transformed into His image day by day.
