A Lenten and Easter Meditation
This multisensory exhibit is designed to encourage you to reflect on the significance of various events that help define the passion of Christ and the gospel on both a global and historic level and on a personal level. Each station portrays an event in the unfolding of the week leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection. The Scriptures tell what happened, the artwork is a glimpse of the moment as perceived by the artist, and the music is a reflection by both the text writer and the music composer. [Not all the events recorded in the Bible are included in this collection. For more information and additional events during the last week of Christ's life on earth, see the stories offered by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.]
This exhibit is meant to help you slow down, take time to reflect on your personal relationship with Christ, inspire you to form a deeper understanding of God at work in your life, and draw you into prayer - conversations with God and with others about your experience. If you are familiar with the ancient practices of lectio divina or sacred reading and visio divina or sacred seeing, this event encourages you to read and embrace these works deeply. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you, to give you spiritual nurture (something we especially need during these tumultuous times). Ask yourself what catches your attention in these passages, in the artwork, in the music. Stay with that thought and let the Lord guide your heart. With whom do you identify in these scenarios? What is God saying to you through these words and works? How are you responding to the leading of the Holy Spirit? Please feel free to leave your insights, comments and reflections HERE - either personal a-ha moments or words of encouragement that you wish to share with our Regent community. We welcome your recommendations for other scriptures, artwork, and music to explore.
Over the course of the next 7 weeks, you can embrace this journey in many ways. Some of you will access the online guide. Others will come to the Library Gallery in person. Perhaps you will want to reflect on only one station a day or several stations a week. Perhaps you will want to experience all of the stations several times throughout the seasons of Lent and Easter. You may decide to journey by yourself at one time, and with a small group at other times. You may want to experience a station that is connected to a designated time, such as The Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday, April 2; The Last Supper events and the Trial and Peter's Denial on Maundy Thursday, April 6; The Crucifixion and Burial on Good Friday, April 8; The Resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 9. You may decide to focus on the Scriptures at one point, the artwork separately, and listen to the music even when you are not viewing the artwork. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in ways that will be helpful and significant for you.
However you decide to journey through these stations, may God draw you closer than ever, may The Holy Spirit enlighten and empower you, and may you come to a new appreciation of the work of our Lord Jesus Christ in redeeming humankind in such a powerful and amazing way. Perhaps you will be inspired to create your own Lenten and Easter Meditation using scriptures, artwork and music that speaks to you in better ways.
Please be aware that the graphic content of some of these artworks may be disturbing.
The Commission
Scripture: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
1 The Anointing
Scripture: Six days before the Passover Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
John 12:1-8
Glorify Thy Name
Emmanuel Live
Jesus, we love You We worship and adore You Glorify your name in all the earth
Glorify your name Glorify your name Glorify your name in all the earth
Spirit, we love You We worship and adore You Glorify your name in all the earth
Glorify your name Glorify your name Glorify your name in all the earth
Father, we love You We worship and adore You Glorify your name in all the earth
Glorify your name Glorify your name Glorify your name in all the earth
Author: Donna Adkins 1976 (Psalm 86:12)
Tune: Glorify Thy Name, composer Donna Adkins 1976
2 The Triumphal Entry
Scripture: The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming sitting on a donkey's colt!”
John 12:12-15
Christ's Entry into Jerusalem
Benjamin Robert Haydon
1814-1820
All Glory Laud and Honor
King’s College Cambridge
Refrain:
All glory, laud, and honor To thee, Redeemer, King
To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring
Thou art the King of Israel Thou David's royal Son
Who in the Lord's name comest the King and blessed one.
Refrain
The company of angels is praising you on high;
and we with all creation in chorus make reply.
Refrain
The people of the Hebrews with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.
Refrain
To you before your passion they sang their hymns of praise;
to you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
Refrain
As you received their praises, accept the prayers we bring,
For you delight in goodness, O good and gracious King!
Refrain
Author: Theodulf, Bishop of Orleans 820; translator from Latin, John M. Neale 1854 (Matthew 21:1-17)
Tune: ST. THEODULPH, composed by Melchior Teschner 1613
3 The Father Speaks
Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
John 12:23-33
God the Father with Globe in His Hand
Giovanni Battista Piranesi
1700s
How Deep the Father's Love for Us
Phillips, Craig & Dean
How deep the Father's love for us How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon a cross My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom
Author: Stuart Townend 1990 (Matthew 27:46)
Tune: Stuart Townend 1990
4 The Passover Meal (The Last Supper)
Scripture: And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
Exodus 12:26-27
And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he [Jesus] reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Matthew 26:19-25
The Last Supper Judas Dipping His Hand in the Dish
James Tissot
1886-1894
The Music: Lord, Is It I?
Andrew Remillard
to the tune of O Sacred Head Now Wounded - piano only
Who was it who for profit’s gain betrayed
with fond embrace the Lamb of God to
suffer pain, enduring my disgrace?
Lord, is it I? Lord, is it I?
Am I the one to blame?
Is it for me that you must die?
Is it for me you came?
Author: Dean McIntyre 1999 (Matthew 26:21)
Tune: PASSION CHORALE Hans Leo Hassler 1601
5 Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet
Scripture: Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
John 13:3-11
Washing of the Feet
Giotto
1303
Wash Me and I Shall Be Whiter Than Snow
Christian Hymn
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; I want Thee forever to ransom my soul;
Brake down every idol, cast out every for: Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow; Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Author: James Nicholson 1872 (Psalm 51:7)
Tune: Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole W. G. Fischer 1872
6 The Breaking of the Bread
Scripture: Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, fort his is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:26-30
Last Supper
Dagnan-Bouveret
1896
In Remembrance of Me
CBB Robert Kochis
In remembrance of Me, eat this bread.
In remembrance of Me, drink this wine.
In remembrance of Me,
Pray for the time when God’s own will is done.
Do this in remembrance of Me.
Author: Buryl Red 1972 (1 Corinthians 11:26)
Tune: Regan Courtney 1972
7 The Mount of Olives (The Garden of Gethsemane)
Scripture: Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Matthew 26:36-46
Gethsemane
Carl Bloch
1873
What Wondrous Love is This
St Olaf Choir arr. Robert Scholz
1 What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
2 When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.
3 To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb, who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing.
Author: Anonymous 1811 (Revelation 5)
Tune: Southern Harmony 1840
8 Jesus is Arrested and Betrayed
Scripture: While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
Matthew 26:47-50
The Kiss of Judas
Gaudi
2009
Lamb of God
Twila Paris
Your only Son no sin to hide but You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod and to become the Lamb of God
Your gift of love they crucified they laughed and scorned Him as he died
The humble King they named a fraud and sacrificed the Lamb of God
Oh Lamb of God, Sweet lamb of God I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood my Jesus Christ the Lamb of God
I was so lost I should have died but You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod and to be called a lamb of God
Oh Lamb of God, Sweet lamb of God I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood ‘till I am just a Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood my Jesus Christ the Lamb of God
Author: Twila Paris 1985 (Isaiah 53:7)
Tune: LAMB OF GOD (Paris) 1985
9 Peter Defends Jesus
Scripture: Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
John 18:10-11
The Ear of Malchus
James Tissot
1886-1894
Healer of Our Every Ill
Marty Haugen
Refrain:
Healer of our every ill,
Light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.
1. You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness.
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts (Refrain)
2. In the pain and joy beholding
how your grace is still unfolding,
give us all your vision, God of love (Refrain)
3. Give us strength to love each other,
every sister, every brother.
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide (Refrain)
4. You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing.
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart. (Refrain)
Author: Marty Haugen 1987 (Psalm 103)
Tune: Marty Haugen 1987
10 The Trials: Before the Sanhedrin
Scripture: Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.
Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
Matthew 26:57-68
Christ Before the High Priest
Gerard van Honthorst
1617
Ah Holy Jesus
Kings College Cambridge
1 Ah Holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended that we to judge Thee have in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected, O most afflicted!
2 Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee? Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee!
'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee; I crucified thee.
3 Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered; the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered.
For our atonement, while we nothing heeded, God interceded.
Author: Johann Heermann 1630; translator Robert Bridges 1897 (Isaiah 53:3; Matt. 26:21-22)
Tune: HERZLIEBSTER JESU Johann Crüger 1640
11 Peter's Denial
Scripture: Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Matthew 26:69-75
St. Peter Denying Christ
Gustav Dore
1865
Go to Dark Gethsemane
TheNCrew
1 Go to dark Gethsemane, You who feel the tempter's pow'r;
Your Redeemer's conflict see; Watch with Him one bitter hour;
Turn not from His griefs away; Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.
2 Follow to the judgment hall; View the Lord of life arraigned;
O the worm-wood and the gall! O the pangs His soul sustained!
Shun not suff'ring, shame, or loss; Learn of Him to bear the cross.
3 Calv'ry's mournful mountain climb There' adoring at His feet,
Mark the miracle of time, God's own sacrifice complete:
"It is finished!" Hear the cry; Learn of Jesus Christ to die.
4 Early hasten to the tomb Where they laid his breathless clay;
All is solitude and gloom; Who hath taken Him away?
Christ is ris'n! He meets our eyes: Savior, teach us so to rise.
Author: James Montgomery 1825 (John 16:17-30)
Tune: REDHEAD 76 Richard Redhead 1853
12 The Trials: Before the Roman Procurator Pilate
Scripture: Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate.
John 18:28-38
Jesus Before Pilate: The First Interview
James Tissot
1880s
The Music: Oh How He Loves You and Me
Vanessa Williams and Richard Smallwood
Oh, how He loves you and me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give;
Oh, how He loves you, Oh, how He loves me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.
Author: Kurt Kaiser 1975 (1 John 4:16)
Tune: Kurt Kaiser 1975
13 Jesus is Beaten
Scripture: With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.
John 18:38-40
The Flagellation of Christ
Peter Paul Rubens
1617
He Nevuh Said a Mumbalin’ Word
Moses Hogan Singers
1 They crucified my Lord, and he never said a mumbalin’ word;
they crucified my Lord, and he never said a mumbalin’ word.
Not a word, not a word, not a word.
2 They nailed him to a tree, and he never said a mumbalin’ word;
they nailed him to a tree, and he never said a mumbalin’ word.
Not a word, not a word, not a word.
3 They pierced him in the side, and he never said a mumbalin’ word;
they pierced him in the side, and he never said a mumbalin’ word.
Not a word, not a word, not a word.
4 The blood came trickalin’ down, and he never said a mumbalin’ word;
the blood came trickalin’ down, and he never said a mumbalin’ word.
Not a word, not a word, not a word.
5 He bowed his head and died, and he never said a mumbalin’ word;
he bowed his head and died, and he never said a mumbalin’ word.
Not a word, not a word, not a word.
Author: traditional Spiritual (Acts 8:32)
Tune: traditional Spiritual
14 Crucify Him
Scripture: Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.”
When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon.
“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. Finally, Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.
John 19:1-16
Ecce Homo
Antonio Ciseri
1871
Above All
Lenny Leblanc
Above all powers, above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth
Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Author: Paul Baloche, Lenny Leblanc 1995 (Ephesians 1:19-23)
Tune: Paul Baloche, Lenny Leblanc 1995
15 The Crucifixion
Scripture: Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others - one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” So this is what the soldiers did.
John 19:17-24
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Cornelius Christoffels
1941
The Music: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Altar of Praise Chorale
1 O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded with thorns, thine only crown!
O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was thine!
Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call thee mine.
2 What thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinners’ gain.
Mine, mine was the transgression, but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve thy place.
Look on me with thy favor, and grant to me thy grace.
3 What language shall I borrow to thank thee, dearest Friend,
for this, thy dying sorrow, thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to thee.
Author: St. Bernard of Clairvaux 12th century; translator James Alexander (Matt. 27:29)
Tune: PASSION CHORALE Hans Leo Hassler 1601
16 Father Forgive Them
Scripture: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34
Christ of Saint John of the Cross
Salvador Dali
1951
When Jesus Wept
Minnesota Choral Artists
When Jesus wept, the falling tear
In mercy flowed beyond all bound;
When Jesus groaned, a trembling fear
Seized all the guilty world around.
Author: William Billings 1770 (John 11:35)
Tune: William Billings 1770
17 Mother Behold Your Son
Scripture: Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
John 19:25-27
artist unknown
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
Paul Robeson
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
A long ways from home
A long ways from home
Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone
Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone
Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone
A long ways from home
A long ways from home
Author: traditional Spiritual (Psalm 88)
Tune: traditional Spiritual
18 The Two Theives
Scripture: One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
Christ on the Cross
Peter Paul Rubens
1627
Jesus Remember Me
Taizé
Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom.
Author: Jacques Berthier 1978 (Luke 23:39-43)
Tune: Jacques Berthier 1978
19 It Is Finished
Scripture: From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:45-54
Scripture: Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”
John 19:28-37
Crucifixion
Matthias Grunewald
1511-1520
The Music: God So Loved the World
Tenebrae Choir
God so loved the world. God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth, believeth in Him should not perish,
should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world.
God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world;
But that the world through Him might be saved.
God so loved the world. God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth, believeth in Him should not perish,
should not perish but have everlasting life, everlasting life,
everlasting, everlasting life.
God so loved the world.
God so loved the world.
God so loved the world.
Author: John Stainer (The Crucifixion, 1887) (John 3:16-17)
Tune: John Stainer 1887
20 The Burial
Scripture: As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Matthew 27:57-66
The Descent from the Cross
Peter Paul Reubens
1600-1602
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord
Andrea Thomas
1 Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
2 Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
3 Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Author: African American spiritual (Isaiah 53:3; Matt. 27:55-56)
Tune: WERE YOU THERE
21 The Resurrection
Scripture: After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.
Matthew 28:1-7
The Resurrection of Christ
Annibale Carracci
1580-1600
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
1 Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
2 Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
3 Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
Author: Charles Wesley 1739 (Matt. 28:1-10)
Tune: EASTER HYMN (Lyrica Davidica)