Embrace
Carrying his own cross,
he went out to
the Place of the Skull,
as it is called in Hebrew,
Golgotha.                                          
John 19:17

The naked heavy wood
Embraced tenderly
By bleeding bared hands.
Crimson garments soaked
With streams of red blood.

The wood is steady, firm.
On it heavily leans
Another piece of wood
The cross.

In the background, hanging nooses
Reminders of violence and war,
Indisputable witnesses to
Generations of innocent victims.
Yesterday, today!
Two hands embracing
An unjust verdict,
The human sorrow.

A destiny shared,
A cry hidden behind the cross –
The Innocent One.

 

It takes courage to embrace that which we really would rather not. To daily reach out and take on board the violence and atrocities of our world. To make a decision to accept Jesus and the paradox of his cross.

Our hands are a precious gift. We can create or destroy, lift up or force down. We can embrace or push away. Jesus used his hands to bless, to gather the lost to his arms, all the time working for peace, until finally he gave his hands up to the cross. Accepting and embracing it, he embraces our sorrows, our cross.

 

Celebration Themes & Scripture Links
Jesus embraces the cross
Embrace
Psalm 40:6-10; Jeremiah 20:7; Matthew 7.21.12:50; Mark 14:36; John 4:34; Hebrews 10:5-10
The measure of love
John 3:16 15:12-14; Romans 5:6-8, Ph 2:5-11

 

We Pray...
Lord Jesus, the mystery of your cross
is at the heart of our lives.
Help us embrace the world as you did
Give us the perseverance we need
to make our world a better place.
Your kingdom come, your will be done.

408 – Wind Upon the Waters

The Service continues with CORNERSTONE

"You will Bear witness for me ... beginning here,"