the cross

Every year during Holy Week there are two albums I listen to in their entirety. You might find them an odd pairing because they're so different stylistically, but I don't care. I love them and am always led by them to meditate on Christ's death and resurrection.

The first is Shai Linne's The Atonement. (It's only $8.99, so buy it!) The very first time I heard that album I was driving home from Indianapolis and I nearly had to pull off to the side of the road because I was crying. It made me reflect on my own sin and on the depth of Christ's suffering on behalf of all sinners.

It's since become a Good Friday staple in our home and one of my top recommendations to our students. I can't tell you how strengthened, encouraged, and instructed I've been by not only this album, but his work in general.

The second is an obvious classic: Handel's Messiah. I was turned onto this version (conducted by Masaaki Suzuki; performed by the Bach Collegium Japan Orchestra) by Jody Killingsworth, our pastor for worship and music and a former doctoral student at Jacobs. It's awesome.

Here are a couple songs from The Atonement to whet your appetite. Enjoy!

Last year about this time Amanda and I had about 15-20 students (and some non-students) in our home to celebrate Good Friday. We began by reading this passage from Luke 24:

'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?' And beginning with Moses and the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

This scene takes place on the road to Emmaus, shortly after Jesus' resurrection. Why is Jesus rebuking His disciples? Apparently, His crucifixion is all over the Old Testament Scriptures. And it should be obvious. What else can He mean by calling them foolish and slow of heart?

But let me ask you a question: when you read the Old Testament, is it obvious to you that Jesus would come and suffer and enter into His glory? Maybe not. But it really is there, if you have eyes to see it.

As you celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus this weekend, here are some Scriptures for you to meditate on that trace the thread of the suffering Messiah from Genesis to Revelation: