A memory I have from my childhood Methodist years is singing Charles Wesley's hymn on Good Friday:

And can it be that I should gain 
an interest in the Savior's blood! 
Died he for me? who caused his pain! 
For me? who him to death pursued? 
Amazing love! How can it be 
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me? 

Amazing love! How can it be 
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

 

Wesley's amazement in this hymn mirrors the kind of amazement that spills out from today's first reading in Isaiah (52:13-53:12). "Who would believe what we have heard?" Isaiah wonders. Who would dare to think that the Suffering Servant (which is the name of the character in this, and several other Isaiah passages) is what God will do for us? 

 

Whoa.

 

We can scarcely believe it - and yet, when Christians read Isaiah in light of the passion story (John 18:1-19:42), we affirm: Whoa.  Our God does this for us.

 

Participation in today's liturgy is meant to highlight this sense of whoa in at least two ways. One is to encounter, through the ritual, the sense that we killed God. We are at fault. Indeed, today's liturgy always leaves me feeling a bit like, "Yes, but.... this can't be IT?" I feel bereft, my beloved Jesus is dead. How can I bear this?

 

A second whoa is the recognition that God utterly loves us anyway. How great this love is... and we are invited to encounter the stark reality of death and love and what God does for us.

 

Charles Wesley's hymn continues: 

He left his Father's throne above 
(so free, so infinite his grace!), 
emptied himself of all but love, 
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free, 
for O my God, it found out me! 
'Tis mercy all, immense and free, 

for O my God, it found out me!  

 

Today, let us take time to reflect on these Whoas, to linger here on Good Friday and not rush too hurriedly to Easter, lest we miss this central and important part of our faith. God loves us....in spite of it all.

 

- Jana M. Bennett