About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” — which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” . . . And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. –Matthew 27:46, 50
Friday
Blood throbbing like muffled drums
Tendons stretching like fence-wires: tune-taut
But soundless
His reproach streaks the silence like
Lightning in darkness.
Two eyes, raging from the sandstorms of a
Thousand tears, finally close.
The body hangs limp as wet drapery on a limb.
(c) 1995 Latayne C. Scott
Perhaps to understand the despair of the crucifixion, we must recall times in our own lives when we have been completely alone. It may involve the memory of being a lost and terrified child. Or finding oneself disoriented, mapless, confused while driving. Or worst of all, a time when there was more to the lostness than just an accident: a time of abandonment by someone you loved, trusted, and depended upon. All the bragging disciples who'd jockeyed for power in Jesus' kingdom left Him when His royal throne's footstool was a single rusty nail; when His hands held only blood. Only John stayed to mourn with the women.
