As I write this it is Good Friday, “the Ninth Hour”. Three o’clock in the afternoon by first century Jewish reckoning.
By this hour on the day of Christ’s crucifixion, He had already been hanging on the cross for several hours. This, after an excruciating night of psychological and physical torture.
Matthew tells us that the land of Judea had already been enveloped in darkness for three hours. Jesus had one last statement to make from the cross, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit”.
I am always ashamed at the ease with which we glide through the remembrance of Holy Week. A Maundy Thursday night communion, perhaps a day from work with family on Good Friday and, rightfully so, a celebration on Resurrection Sunday. But many times we lift our voices to sing, “Jesus Paid It All”, but with our actions add presumptuously , “And Rightly So”.
To help me come around to a right appreciation of the incomprehensible pain Christ suffered on our behalf , I look to older writings. This year I read again the thoughts on discipleship penned by Amy Carmichael, missionary to India:
Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?No wound? No scar?
Yet, as a Master shall the servant be,
and pierced are the feet that follow Me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has no wound nor scar .¹
¹ Quoted in “A Chance to Die” by Elisabeth Elliot, Grand Rapids, 1987 p.264
Crusaders Church of Bloomington 
I agree with your premise, Dennis. After so many years of traditional adaptations and rote, we often move through this time of year as on a conveyor, going through ceremonial motions and special services, which gain the bulk of respect and honor. I have found a much more organic approach is needed. During the Lord’s suffering and crucifixion, there was blood everywhere and great cries of pain. The other two men were also in that mix, no doubt cursing angrily with every breath. The people on the scene could almost feel it themselves, and many were cursing the Lord and He staggered forth courageously.
I was in a small home group last night. We spoke of the Lord’s great sufferings on our behalf, sang songs to His glory as He and His men did the night before His death. I understand Psalm 118 was the last one they sang after supper before heading to Gethsemane. We also shared in His broken body and shed blood in memory of that night and what Passover really means.
We must allow the Spirit of the Lord to touch us, and move us, and allow us to open up so that what you prescribe can come forth. I pray that you guys have a very good weekend, and that we can all remember His sufferings and death properly, and celebrate His resurrection. There are no greater events in human history than what took place in those three days.
Thanks for the post. Be blessed.