Good Friday

He came with the disciples to the garden,

and yet he really came alone.

The time was almost here,

so close that it could be felt.

Death had been introduced in the upper room,

and it followed him to the garden.

If it is your will, Abba,

remove the yoke from me.

He was all man, now.

God made man was begging--

Not for his life--

but for some way

any way

to remove the cup--

the cross--

his Father's well-earned wrath

from being poured out.

He knew from the beginning that it was not to be,

but he was all man

and so he prayed.

He asked his friends,

those who had boasted about who would sit on which side,

to sit with him and pray.

They truly wanted to,

but sorrow overtook them

and they slept instead.

What would have happened had the angels not intervened,

bringing some manna of which we know not?

Death would have won.

If there is no cross, there is no salvation.

And so he prayed, he cried out, he sweated drops like blood,

but then he gave in.

"Not my will, but thine be done."

And he walked forward and faced it all.

Judas, the priests, the judges, the scourging, 

the ignominy of a death on a cross.

Death followed him,

whispering into his ear,

"What are you doing?

Do you really believe that this will help?

These people are doomed.

They're not your people,

They're my people.

Raised on high for all to see,

He continued his journey.

"Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

What? You want God to forgive them?  They just crucified God's son! Are you out of your mind?"

"Today you will be with me in paradise"

Paradise?  With you?  How sweet.  Have you forgotten that you will both be dead? You will both be mine! And believe me, I have big plans for you.

"This is your son.  This is your mother."

If you get down from there, think of all the suffering that you will spare her.  Is this really necessary?

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Finally, you understand.  You are not God.  You are not even a man.  You are nothing.  If you truly are God, as you said, save yourself!

Death tried to chuckle, 

but he could hear the rumble of every Jewish heart there.

What had been started continued,

unbidden,

as it came through years and years of worship.

For the first time, they heard the breaths inside the psalm.

For the first time, they realized that the pauses--

natural rests--

were the sounds of a man breathing

struggling

on a cross.

For the first time, Death felt doubt

Could he have misstepped?

No, this was his moment of victory, 

and he was determined to savor it.

"I am thirsty."

You will be more than that in a few short hours.

Oh, what I have planned for you…

But the bravado was wearing thin.

"It is finished."

Finished?  

What is? 

Your wonderful plan of salvation? 

But the chill that was creeping over him was not to be ignored.

"Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit."

No longer did Death try to make himself heard.

It was over.

God's Son was dead.

His heart had broken.

For what?

These mice?

Eager to begin the next chapter,

Death went back to Hell,

to wait.

He didn't have to wait long.