Stainer's Crucifixion at HT

The choir of Holy Trinity led us last night in Stainer's Crucifixion. 




Rev W.J.Sparrow-Simpson, who wrote all the words to The Crucifixion (his Tim Rice to Stainer's Andrew Lloyd-Webber), followed the reading of Jesus' cry from the cross - 'Father, forgive them, they know not what they do' - with these wonderful words as the opening verse of a hymn: 

Jesus the Crucified, pleads for me,
while He is nailed to the shameful tree,
Scorned and forsaken, derided and curst,
See how His enemies do their worst!
Yet, in the midst of the torture and shame,
Jesus, the Crucified, breathes my name!
Wonder of wonders, oh! how can it be?
Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me.

It was a reminder of the staggering truth that Jesus,
as he hung on the cross prayed for those who crucified and mocked him.

The writer to the Hebrews teaches us (at the end of a rather complex few verses about Melchizedek the priest in the Old Testament), that Jesus, now raised from death and at the right hand of the Father, continues to pray for his people. On the basis of his own sacrifice in the place of those who look to him, Jesus intercedes / appeals to the Father for our salvation. 

'because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:24, 25

It is a truth that brings great assurance and peace: God the Father is constantly reminded of the fact that Jesus died for me.

Jesus, the Crucified, breathes my name!
Wonder of wonders, oh! how can it be?
Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me.

That is just one of many good reasons for calling it Good Friday!