Good Friday: Lord, I Need You
Song: Lord, I Need You
Artist: Matt Maher
Good Friday, The Crucifixion Read and Ponder:
Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of forgiveness. How can you be more forgiving of yourself and the other people in your life? - Wow. This is a loaded question. The best way to find the courage and strength to forgive someone who has wronged me is to remember the teachings of the Savior when He commanded us to forgive our enemies. "Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin...I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." (D&C 64:9-10). It's a hard thing to do, but knowing I want to follow Him makes it a little easier, knowing that all the injustice and unfairness of this life will be swallowed up in His mercy and be made right. Forgiving myself...for some reason that feels harder. I judge myself far harder than I do others. I hold myself to an impossible standard. This scripture always brings me comfort when I think of asking for and receiving God's forgiveness: "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." (D&C 58:42). I try to remember that when I struggle to truly know if I have been forgiven of my past sins, some that still come to mind and haunt me. But I know I have felt the sweet peace of forgiveness and that God has forgiven me for things in my past. I need to do the same. I need to trust Him when He says He will "remember them no more." I need to do the same and offer myself the grace He so freely and willingly gives.
I have a few additional songs that correlate with today's account of Christ's condemnation and Crucifixion.
Pilate's Wife: Matthew 27:19
This song is based on this one simple verse found in the book of Matthew. It is hauntingly beautiful and sad, knowing the outcome after this faithful woman's warning.
I woke this morning in a fright
What was this dream I had all night
This houses echoed halls recite to me it all
Over and over time and time again
And I’m left with what to do?
I seldom ask for much but this I ask of you
I don’t know who he is but I know what I feel
Let him go……can’t you see
What is this dream? Pontius please. Let Him be.
I ask of you don’t patronize
Something about this isn’t right
A whisper in the morning wind just pierced my heart once again
And I’ve never even seen this just man’s face
But something here’s amiss
I’m not sure what it is but wash your hands of this
I don’t know who he is but I know what I feel
Let him go……can’t you see
What is this dream? Pontius please. Let Him be.
And Rome in all her glory
Has no place in this man’s story
Whether King or vagabond
Does it matter? Right or wrong?
Please hear me…
I don’t know who he is but I know what I feel
Let him go……can’t you see
What is this dream? Pontius please. Let Him be.
The Solider and the Thief: Matthew 27:38, 54, Mark 15:27-28, 39, Luke 23:32-33, 39-43, 47
This song is based on the various verses of scripture that refer to the Roman Centurion who has a change of heart as he watches the Savior die and comes to realize that He is who He said He was...the Son of God. And the verse about the thief who stood up for the Savior and was promised that he would be with Christ in paradise. I find the song to be beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time.
What have I done tonight?
What is this that just opened up my eyes
I think I’ve made sport an innocent man
The guilt inside my soul burns like desert sand
Thunder roars, skies swirl dark
I fear for my life and the fate of my heart
I’m standing here with his robe in my hands
Not knowing if I just killed a God or a man
Heaven help me…I fall to my knees
As red blood and black rain run together as one
What have I done?
What have I done to be here
Today I’ll lose my life but I don’t care
I’ve been a thief and I’ve done many wrongs
But today I feel like a forgiven son
Thunder roars, skies grow dim
I’m growing weak next to Him
He looked at me through tired eyes
And said, “Today you’ll be with me in paradise”
He bowed his head, His last breath gone
As red blood and black rain run together as one
What have I done?
I cast a lot I wish I’d never won
Could he be the Jew’s Messiah, could he be God’s own son?
I heard Him say, looking to Heaven above
“Father forgive them, they know not what they’ve done”
Whoooa
Now for the day's actual song choice. It's more Matt Maher! This song reminds me that I am in constant need of my Savior's love, guidance and protection. And that I can have it. It's a sobering and beautiful reminder that He's always there. I'm so grateful for the Savior, especially today, on this Good Friday, as I have read and reflected on His sacrifice on my behalf. That He took my sins, my pains upon Himself and died for me. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13).
"My one defense, my righteousness, oh God, how I need You." 🙏💜
Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
Where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
When I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
You're my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
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