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Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?

April 8, 2014 By Jean Wise

www.healthyspirituality.org

The last few weeks the melody of the old spiritual “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” has been echoing in my mind and heart. Its words haunt me.

My emotions this Lenten season verge closer to solemn sadness when I ponder how much Jesus suffered.

I realized how often I want to jump over these verses of the Bible and rush into the celebration of Easter morning. 

I missed the lessons in the whip, the crown of thorns, the ridicule, the horror of the cross and the silence of Holy Saturday.

So I trudge through Bible verses I normally skim. I pause and listen to their rawness. I sit amazed at his forgiveness and defeat of death and sin.

My answer to the question – Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? – is, well at least I am closer now than before.

This hymn originates from the African-American slaves in the early 1800s. The lyrics reflect the terrors the slaves endured. Full of emotion I think we all “tremble” as we sing it and realize the reality of Jesus’ death and suffering. And it ends with hope with the resurrection but not before we endure the piercing of the nails, the darkness of death and the cold silent tomb. 

“Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 


Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 


Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. 


Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”

This song sticks with me because of who Jesus is and what he did for me. This is called the Passion of Christ because of his deep love, compassion for us to take the risk of giving his all for humanity. The words remind me of his suffering for everyone, including those I ignore, dislike or avoid. I too carry a responsibility for the brokenness of the world and the tears of others.

Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? implies standing/staying near the cross. Being right there. Allowing the emotions of the season – the trembling, the tears, the terror of it all  – to crush my self-indulgent, ego consumed life and come empty, naked, vulnerable into Jesus’ love, mercy and forgiveness as our Savior.

I am staying close to the entire Holy Week story this year. I am lingering near the cross. And I am thankful to know God is there too – in my fear, my sin, my trembling.

How are you preparing your heart for Holy Week?

 

 

 

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Filed Under: hymns, spiritual lessons

Comments

  1. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

    April 9, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    It’s hard to linger at the cross. So much pain and suffering there. During this season the lyrics from Chris Tomlin’s song, “Here I Am To Worship” echo through my brain; “I’ll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that cross….”

    We can’t even begin to fathom what our Saviour endured but we can embrace that gift our Lord God gave us and we need to do it daily.

    Blessings to you.
    xoxo

    • blankJean Wise says

      April 10, 2014 at 9:48 pm

      Yes it is hard to linger at the cross. Seems this year I am doing more of that and have found more surprising peace in listening here. Thanks for mentioning the Chris Tomlin song. very appropriate

  2. blankDebbie Crawford says

    April 9, 2014 at 7:26 am

    Beautiful reminder and encouragement for us to draw near to the cross…thank you.

    • blankJean Wise says

      April 10, 2014 at 9:47 pm

      Thanks Debbie for stopping by and leaving a comment

  3. blankLynn Mosher says

    April 8, 2014 at 9:05 pm

    This morning, I edited a post I was sending to someone for her site. I entitled it An Intimate Moment with Mary. As I read over it, tears just streamed down my cheeks. The older I get, the more the *rawness* of Jesus’ suffering affects me. Clinging to the foot of the cross. Beautiful post, sweetie.

    • blankJean Wise says

      April 9, 2014 at 5:18 am

      sound like Lent has drawn us both nearer the cross this year, Lynn.

  4. blankNancy Ruegg says

    April 8, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    With one word you captured perfectly the passion of Holy Week: rawness. There is, of course, the rawness of suffering our Jesus endured. But there is also the rawness of emotion in the Garden, and the rawness of response in Pilate’s court. You’re right: we mustn’t skim over the events leading up to Easter. With you I want “to crush my self-indulgent, ego consumed life and come empty, naked, vulnerable into Jesus’ love, mercy and forgiveness as our Savior.” Thank you, Jean.

    • blankJean Wise says

      April 9, 2014 at 5:17 am

      Hi Nancy. Several people commented about rawness. When I wrote this post, I wondered afterward – where did that word come from? I really think God gave it to me to hold and ponder this season. Amazing how one word brings us to our knees isn’t it?

      • blankNancy Ruegg says

        April 9, 2014 at 10:06 am

        Oh, yes. “THE Word” does indeed infuse power into single words that bring us to our knees. Well said, Jean!

  5. blankCeil says

    April 8, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    Hi Jean! Such a wonderful old song…so many recognize it. And it’s sung in a slow, meaningful way too. It’s such a wonderful way to accompany the Lord in his Passion too.
    I am trying to prepare myself for Easter by dedicating some time to contemplative prayer every day. I have been loving it. I really feel that it centers me, and fills me with his presence. Which I need!

    Blessings on your Easter journey,
    Ceil

    • blankJean Wise says

      April 9, 2014 at 5:15 am

      This is the type of song that was born from the deep soul place, don’t you think? I love it that you mentioned contemplative prayer. That has brought me so close to God. A wonderful practice and one I should blog about sometimes. Thanks for the idea.

  6. blankLisa notes... says

    April 8, 2014 at 10:45 am

    I hear the deep voice of Tennessee Ernie Ford singing this song. My dad used to play it from an album of his.

    Staying near the cross…I need to linger there always. Thanks for the reminder to take my seat there today, Jean.

    • blankJean Wise says

      April 9, 2014 at 5:14 am

      Oh, Lisa, I can just hear Tennessee Ernie sing that song. That really brings back the memories. Staying near the cross is a wonderful phrase to hold onto too. Thanks for sharing

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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