Good Friday.
Usually on Good Friday there is a film about Jesus' journey to the Cross. The portrayal is often bloody and tear rendering. Personally as I have a very vivid imagination I feel every moment in my being. I struggle with the thoughts of Jesus being in so much pain and at the intensity of man as he delights in the torture of another human being.
Good Friday however, is ever present in our lives today.
With our tongues we become the soldier lashing Jesus.
"I hate you" - stripe one
"You are stupid" - stripe two
"Why cant you be like your sister/brother?" - stripe three
"Why do you never try?" - stripe four
"You are rubbish" - stripe five
"Get out of my sight" - stripe six
"You are a jerk" - stripe seven
"I hope you get a terminal disease" - stripe eight
"Curse you" - stripe nine
"I cant stand you" - stripe ten
"I wish you were dead" - stripe eleven
"Your face makes me sick" - stripe twelve
The list goes on and on. Every time we speak in anger we are lashing Jesus because we are taking offence at his creation, man, whom Jesus sacrificed himself for.
Jesus was very clear about the use of the tongue. Matt 5:22
But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgement! If you can call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
With this warning in mind, let us try and remember that our tongue is as brutal as the lash on Jesus' back.
May we be reminded today of the tongues that once praised Jesus for his healing touch, turned quickly to shouts of "crucify him".
Father give us tongues that heal rather than tongues of criticism and pain. May my tongue transform people rather than hurt them. Father, I am the soldier that scourged you, forgive me and place a guard on my tongue. Help me from today to praise you and give glory to You and Your Love.