Jesus is nailed to the Cross
My trust does not fail even when I say I am utterly bereft. In my terror, I said, ‘No human being can be relied on.’ What return can I make to the Lord for his goodness to me? I shall take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. (Ps 116, 10–13)
No ear has heard, nor eye seen any god but you act like this for the sake of those who trust him. (Is 64, 4)
Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection. For the sake of the joy which lay ahead of him, he endured the cross, disregarding the shame of it, and has taken his seat at the right hand of God’s throne. Think of the way he persevered against such opposition from sinners, and then you will not lose heart and come to grief. (Heb 12, 2–3)
For him, I have accepted the loss of all other things and look on them as rubbish if only I can gain Christ, and be given a place in him. With the uprightness, I have gained, not from the law but through faith in Christ… may I come to know him and the power of his resurrection, sharing his sufferings by being moulded into the pattern of his death, striving always towards the goal of resurrection from the dead. (Phil 3, 8–11)
Lord Jesus, as man you knew the terror of confronting death. But as Son of the living God, you acted as no other before you in humbling yourself at the hands of those who knew you not, yet mocked and tortured you.
Loving Lord, I know that I too must ultimately confront death so that I may live with you in the Spirit. But I am filled with dread. Grant me the grace of courage and of trust in you, Lord Jesus, so that I may willingly share your sufferings and find redemption in the fullness of your resurrection promise.
Lord Jesus Crucified, have mercy.