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Never More Alone

Friday March 30 2018

A reflection for Good Friday by Ron Ferguson

Jesus has never been more alone, more isolated.

Betrayed by Judas, abandoned by his friends, beaten by soldiers, the condemned, bleeding man stumbles along outside the walls of the holy city towards Calvary’s bleak hill. At the place of execution, he gives his garments to his executioners, and says: "Forgive them Father, for they don't know what they are doing."

Loving to the last, to the uttermost.

Jesus cries: "My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?" and gives up the ghost. It is finished, accomplished. Stretched on that cross of wood, the Word of God made flesh, Jesus Christ, is making himself a bridge between God and man, a bridge over troubled water, a sign of a blood-red love that will never let us go, ever. For centuries, people have looked at that disfiguring Cross and said: "I should be hanging there."

The older I get, the more I appreciate the sheer beauty of Christianity, even when it is disfigured.

My song is love unknown,
my Saviour's love to me,
Love to the loveless shown,
that they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I, that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
(Samuel Crossman)

Love to the loveless shown. The way to God, to our everlasting freedom, has been opened up. It is the way of unconditional, sacrificial love - for every single one of us.


Ron Ferguson is a minister, freelance journalist and author. He writes for Life and Work every month.

Yesterday: The Towel Test. A reflection for Maundy Thursday by the Rev Dr James Simpson

Tomorrow: Reflection for Holy Saturday by the Rev Margaret Forrester