My wife and I (Lord willing) will be flying to TX tomorrow to meet with the rest of my grandparents' family. My grandfather's funeral will be Friday morning. This will be particularly meaningful for us, since Friday is Good Friday and Easter Sunday is just around the corner.

I probably will not have the opportunity to post again until Easter. So, I'm posting a Bible text that covers Thursday through Saturday of Holy Week along with certain songs and a verse that I associate with these days. Perhaps just posting these things without comment will be somewhat confusing. But, I hope that they will make some sense after some consideration, and I don't think that I would be able to sufficiently comment on all of them, anyway.

Text of Luke 22:1-23:56


For Maundy Thursday:

Haven't seen you in quite a while
I was down the hold just passing time
Last time we met was a low-lit room
We were as close together as a bride and groom
We ate the food, we drank the wine
Everybody having a good time
Except you
You were talking about the end of the world

I took the money
I spiked your drink
You miss too much these days if you stop to think
You lead me on with those innocent eyes
You know I love the element of surprise
In the garden I was playing the tart
I kissed your lips and broke your heart
You...you were acting like it was
The end of the world...

"Until the End of the World" by U2

Don't believe what you hear
Don't believe what you see
If you just close your eyes
You can feel the enemy
When I first met you girl
You had fire in your soul
What happened your face
Of melting in snow
Now it looks like this...

"Acrobat" by U2


For Good Friday:

"O Lamm Gottes unschuldig (verse 1)" from "St. Matthew's Passion" by J.S. Bach

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

"The Old Rugged Cross" by George Bennard

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

"Rock of Ages" by Augustus Toplady

I was there when they crucified my Lord
I held the scabbard when the soldier drew his sword
I threw the dice when they pierced his side
But I've seen love conquer the great divide

When love comes to town I'm gonna catch that train
When love comes to town I'm gonna catch that flame
Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down
But I did what I did before love came to town

"When Love Comes to Town" by U2 with B.B. King

When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all...all...
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you (ooh)
I'll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down...

"Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel

Tough
You think you've got the stuff
You're telling me and anyone
You're hard enough

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believe it