As the drum beat, the
silent procession through the town marked the respect held in
the hearts of the people following the cross, as it was carried
before them, for the man who was crucified on it.
In a short service at
the Quayside Christ's act on the cross was remembered by singing,
‘There is a green Hill far away, without a city wall, where
the dear Lord was crucified, who died to save us all.'
This was reiterated in
the short address by the Revd. Cook as he explained for Christians
that with hindsight of Easter Sunday we can focus on the good
things of Easter, but really Good Friday is the darkest day
for all of us. That especially today in a culture focused on
what's in it for me, our rights and putting self above all others
each time we do that we put another nail in Christ's palm. This
is a time to recall our awful sinful lives and return to Christ.
Just like the man on the cross at the side of Jesus he knew
he had done terrible things, but by recognizing Jesus, Christ
promised him total forgiveness…..'Today you will be in Paradise
with me.'
God in going to the cross
cries out that He loves this world that He loves each and everyone
of us and in the Proclamation of the Cross Revd. Chris Searle
began by reading out ‘Hear the reproaches of God, the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit. My people what have I done to you?
Have I offended you? Answer me! And at the end of the Proclamation,
‘I raised you to the height of majesty, but you have raised
me high on a cross. My people what have I done? How have I offended
you? Answer me! Throughout the proclamation the response of
those listening was, ‘Holy God, holy and strong, holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.'
Finally to remember
Christ and what He asked of his followers the hymn, ‘From Heaven
you came' was sung. ‘From Heaven you came helpless babe, entered
our world Your glory veiled, not to be served but to serve,
and give your live that we might live,' the whole song promising
that Christ, ‘is the Servant King, who calls us now to follow
him,' by learning to how to serve and meet the needs of others.
Their belief in what
he did to set them free from the unjustness of this world was
reflected in the short service at the Quay lead by the Revd.
Jerry Cook
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