Good Friday - WERE YOU THERE? is written by Ed Arle
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" I can't recall the first time I heard that line in that song. It might have been at a young people's retreat I attended once where the leader sang that song around that evening campfire. All I know is I made it a point to learn every word of that song.
At our Good Friday evening service, each of the readings is followed up with a candle, one of seven, being extinguished until the church is cast in a darkness so thick one can barely see the words of the hymn we are about to sing. But I don't need light to sing these words: "Were you there when they crucified my Lord? ... Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble." Yes, I think I was there the night Jesus died. I was there in Jesus' heart.
Dear Lord Jesus, even when you were dying on the cross, you were thinking of me. On this night of nights, help me never to forget all that you have done. Amen.
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