How Beautiful

My church did not have a Lenten service tonight, since it's Holy Week, but for some reason I feel compelled to read my bible. I thought I would summarize the Easter story in important verses starting with the Lord's Supper, and going up to the crucifixion.

Matthew 26:18-19 He [Jesus] said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The teacher says, my time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples."

Matthew 26:26-28 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples , and said, "Take eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them saying, "Drink of it all of you, for this is my blood of the convenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Matthew 26:36a Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane...

Matthew 26:42 Again, for the second time he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this can not pass unless I drink it, your will be done."

Matthew 26:64-65 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgement?" They answered, "He deserves death."

Matthew 27: 21-22 The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you? And they said, "Barabbas." Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Let him be crucified!"

Matthew 27:28-29 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him saying, "Hail King of the Jews!"

Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me??

Matthew 27:50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.

While this part of the story is rather dark, it is not even close to being finished. Like my mom says, "It may be dark on Friday, but remember Sunday's coming!" As you ponder the amount of love our Savior has to offer you, consider listening in to Twila Paris' "How Beautiful."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJfSp_rceFs 

I know that the video quality is poor, so just don't watch the screen. Besides, the words are more important.

P.S. My bible quotes are from the Lutheran Study Bible which is ESV.