by Nancy Gainor
Crossing Over
The nails are pounded
into the human flesh
of God Almighty.
Hoisted above the
collective crowd,
the cross
stages the final
chapter of God’s
human existence.
Suffocating minute
by minute, our dying
Savior is given wine
vinegar to quench
His parched lips.
Stripped of His clothing
and dignity, He hangs
captured in abominable
suffering. In spite of
His dire circumstances,
once again Jesus cares
for another by offering
redemption to the
remorseful prisoner
suspended by His side.
Drowning in abandonment,
Jesus’ anguished wail, “My God,
why have you forsaken me?”
devastates His heavenly
Father to the core. God
turns away, mourning the
passage His Son must take
to save an errant world.
A tiny cluster of family and
friends nestle below the
crucified Christ, weeping
uncontrollably. In awe, they
witness Jesus forgive His
executioners, “for they
know not what they are
doing.” A pause, a final
breath, a cry- “It is finished”-
and Jesus gives up the
spirit. The momentary silence
quickly becomes a roar
of terror. Earthquakes,
menacing clouds, as well
as thunderous claps of
lightning shake the earth,
reverberating God’s anger.
Crypts release the bodies
of the righteous, and they
are raised to life. Screaming
spectators attempt to flee
the chaotic scene. The
veil in the tabernacle
separating man and the
Holy of Holies, is torn, allowing
access to the great I AM.
By crossing over into death,
Jesus grants us life.
Jesus’ death brings you everlasting life. As you repent and acknowledge Christ as Savior, reflect upon the torn veil this Lenten season and the privilege of your access to God.