For forty days we ponder. We ponder the suffering of our Lord Jesus. We ponder the love that led Him to the cross. We ponder His unconditional and unfathomable love for us.

Now we begin Holy Week walking more slowly. We contemplate our Lord’s last days. We tremble at the very thought of his agony. We tremble at the thought of that heavy cross, those piercing nails. We tremble at the thought of the stone cold tomb.

We think on those who were there. We cringe as Judas denies his Lord. We cower as the soldiers drag Jesus away. We gaze upward at His cross and the two beside him; we’re taken aback by His willingness to forgive even as He suffers. We grieve with the women who weep at the foot of the cross. And we empathize with the disciples who were filled with fear.

And as we ponder, we know that we too were there. Our sins were laid upon Him. For us He died. Yes, let’s say that again – for us He died!

“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?”*

Judy

*Were You There,” African American Spiritual