This morning in chapel we used the Taize service (check out this website for information on the Taize community). It was meditative and contemplative and it really got me into the mindset of this Holy Week. I definitely needed that today.
One of the readings was Psalm 22. It's a psalm that David wrote when he was in great distress and being severely persecuted by his enemies. But it's also a very prophetic psalm, the most-quoted psalm in the New Testament, and gives very detailed prophecies of Jesus' passion and crucifixion. It's read--chanted, actually-- by my dad every Maundy Thursday at my home church, as the altar is stripped in preparation for the solemnity of Good Friday.
I wondered, listening to those ancient words being read today, if David had any idea that the Messiah would suffer what he was suffering, only to a much greater degree. Did he know that he was describing what Jesus would do as he paid the price for the sins of the whole world? Did David have any idea how important and meaningful his words were?
The words of the psalm made me think once again about the agony Jesus went through. It's almost more than can be described. And yet, he did it willingly. He did it out of love, completely by choice, not deserving the treatment he was getting. He did it for every person in the world, whether they would accept it or not. He died. For me.
That's almost too much to fathom.
His grace, his love, his incredible forgiveness, all given to me.
That's what he did that day.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful service with me today. While we were singing, you with your harmony, I realized that our voices were made to sing for God. Grounded and centered in Him.
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