It is Friday.  Before the dawn a kiss betrays the Master.  Mortals armed with lanterns, torches and weapons presume to arrest the eternal Son of God, yet cannot remain on their own feet.

 

It is Friday.  Jesus willingly surrenders to men who could not take Him and to be bound with fetters that could not hold Him.

 

It is Friday.  Jesus is condemned, mocked and beaten by His own.

 

It is Friday.  Jesus is forsaken.  The rooster crows.  Peter weeps.

 

It is Friday.  Pilate washes his hands.  The Roman soldiers "crown" the King.  The crowd cries, "Away with him! Crucify him!"

 

It is Friday.  Jesus bears His cross.  Jesus is nailed to His cross.  Jesus is suspended between heaven and earth.

 

It is Friday.  Darkness falls.  Sin is judged.

 

It is Friday.  It is finished.

 

God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

 

O Mighty Cross

O Christ so pure
Love held Him there

Such shame endured
His Sacrifice on Calvary

Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me

(from "O Mighty Cross" by David Baroni, John Chisum)

 

It is Friday.  But Sunday is coming.