Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Milford

April 6, 2012

Good Friday

Read Matthew 26:20-30

The Lamb

O look upon the innocent,

The unblemished lamb,

Slain at twilight

As God decreed

Through Moses.

See its blood

Upon the doorposts,

Upon the lintel.

The Israelites

Consume it

Along with bitter,

Bitter herbs,

Reminiscent of affliction.

They eat hurriedly,

Prepared for departure,

Loins girded,

Sandals on their feet,

Staff in hand,

The lamb within.

Look upon the

foreshadows.

See their hazy shapes

Coming into focus…

It’s the Passover

Of the Lord.

God struck

His mighty hand

Against Egypt,

And the firstborn

Of man and livestock

Were slain.

As God looked

Upon the lamb’s blood

On the doorposts,

On the lintels,

He passed over

The Israelite abodes.

He delivered

His chosen-

Saved by the blood

Of the Lamb.

Look upon the

foreshadows.

See their hazy shapes

Coming into focus…

It’s the Passover,

The Holy Passover

Of the Lord.

O look upon the Innocent,

The Unblemished One,

The Lamb upon the Cross,

Slain in unison

With other lambs

At Passover.

See the crimson Blood

Trickling down

The thorn-crowned Face,

Streaming from the hands

And feet.

See the iron spikes,

The gaping stripes,

The Suffering Servant.

Look into the Face

Of the Lamb,

The Atonement

For all sin.

It’s the Passover,

The Holy Passover

Of the Lord.

The Redemptive Lambs

Meet in the forershadows.

Their shapes

Come into focus.

They are One.

The precious Blood.

Of the Lamb

Upon the Cross

Redeems the world-

We are saved

By the Blood

Of the Lamb.

It is finished.

Alleluia.

Oh look upon

The Glorious One,

The Lamb standing

As if slain.

Hear the multitudes

Proclaim,

“Worthy is the Lamb

Who was slain

To receive power

And wealth

And wisdom and strength

And honor and glory

and praise!

…To Him who sits

On the throne

And to the Lamb,

Be praise and honor

And glory and power

For ever and ever!” *

Amen!

* Revelation 5:12-13

Maude Carolyn Pych