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 Bible Study for Monday, March 25, 2013 |
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My favorite service of the church year is the Tenebrae Service on the evening of Good Friday.
It is the dying of the light as the seven last words of Jesus on the cross are read mixed with familiar hymns based upon the passion of Christ that are sung.
With each word one of the seven candles are snuffed out. Finally, the last word from the cross is read and the light of Christ is removed. As the Church of Christ we sit in darkness, sheer darkness, and contemplate what living in this world means without the Light if Christ.
And I think of these two texts:
In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us! To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our steps into the way of peace." Luke 1:78"
"For it is the God who said, 'let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." II Corinthians 4:6
In this darkness I bet my whole life and everything I have and love upon this story of Jesus of Nazareth, crucified and raised from the dead, true human and true God. In this darkness I long for the return of the Light for this world.
"For we do not proclaim ourselves ; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake." II Corinthians 4:5
Join me this Friday in the words and hymns of passion, in the silence of the utter darkness, and in The Lord Jesus, who is the Light of the world!
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