Good Friday

For a couple of years now, I have watched The Passion of the Christ on Good Friday.  This year, in ways that I can't explain, the song "Hosanna" ran through my head much of the movie.  Specifically, the line "break my heart for what breaks yours".  I'm finding more and more that my heart breaks for those that don't know the light and life that Christ brings.

I wonder, reflecting while I'm watching this movie - where would I be?  What crowd would I be in?
Would I be like Mary crying quietly watching her son be beaten, tortured, and crucified? Would I be like Peter, saying "Lord, where you go, I will go."  And then fall back on my word when questioned.  Would I be like Judas and betray the Savior for thirty pieces of silver? Where were the rest of the disciples during this time?

Would I be a Roman guard wondering what the fuss was about? Would I be one of the priests believing that Jesus was a blasphemer, or that he truly was who He said he was?  Would I be the man carrying Jesus' cross for him? Would I be cheering and jeering in the crowd, or weeping on the sides? Would my heart be breaking for what has breaking His?

It's easy to think now, that I would stand by him - strong and courageous; especially when there have been martyrs before me. But would I? Would I be willing to give my life to identify myself as a follower of the King of the Jews? Or even still, could I watch my very own son get treated worse than a criminal for the sake of all the sinners of the world?  Oh - how Mary's heart must have been breaking to know that she couldn't rescue her son from the pain he was experiencing.

Regardless of what role I might have been in - Roman or Jew - I know one thing is that I would still be a sinner in need of a Savior.

So Lord, give me the strength to have a heart that is broken for the things that break your heart. Use me to bring your light to those that do now know you or your love, which mends those broken pieces. Help me to love those that treat me unjustly - just as much as I love the people who love me.