One of my all-time favorite faith traditions year-after-year as a local pastor was the Good Friday service. And most often the most moving portion of those services came towards the Benediction when I would have someone read, or I personally would read, these words below written for a 1980’s Easter Musical titled "The Witness." The reading is based on the death of Jesus after His horrifying Crucifixion. Hear them now:
"They took Him down, His poor, dead body. They took Him down, His poor, pale body, drained of life, ashen and stained with its own life’s blood.
His healing hands, now pierced and still. Serving hands that broke five loaves to feed five-thousand. Holy hands, often folded in fervent prayer. Poor, gentle hands, now pierced and still.
His poor, torn feet, now bloodied and cold. Feet that walked weary miles to bring good news to broken hearts. Feet once washed in penitent’s tears. Poor, torn feet, now bloodied and cold.
His kingly head made for a crown, now crowned with thorns. His poor, kingly head, crowned with thorns.
His gentle chest, now pierced with spear thrust. Quiet, still, His poor, loving chest.
His piercing eyes, now dark and blind. Eyes of compassion, warming the soul. Fiery eyes, burning at sin. Tender eyes, beckoning sinners. His piecing eyes, not dark and blind.
His matchless voice, fountain of the Father’s thoughts. Stopped, stopped, to speak no more.
Silence, now...
Where once had flowed wisdom and comfort, Spirit and life, His matchless voice, stilled to speak no more.
They took Him down, His poor, dead body, and prepared Him for His burial."
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