"Crucify Him, Crucify Him"

Pilate said to them, "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" All of them said, "Let him be crucified!" 23 Then he asked, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified!" Matthew 26. 14 - 27.66

And so we begin Holy Week, remembering Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Many people will recreate the procession with palms and donkeys, shepherds and passersby, singing and shouting Hosanna, Hosanna Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Revelry is the theme of the beginning of the day; grief the theme at the end...what begins as the Liturgy of Palms becomes the Liturgy of Passion. After the procession, the people move into the church and read the gospel from Matthew that tells about the betrayal, the trial and the last supper, and we remember: we remember the cruelty, pain and suffering that Jesus endured. We take our part in the process when we the congregation speak for the crowd, giving up a chance to free Jesus and instead say "Crucify Him, Crucify Him."

Since I was a child, participating in this service has made me weep. Those words are so hard to say, to repeat. I have been challenged many times over the decades to wonder how and where and when and why I have been responsible for crucifying Jesus. What would I have done in the crowd? How many times have I gone along with the crowd rather than standing up for what I knew was right?

I must remember Jesus' words in the gospel of John,

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has

greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

As I continue the Holy Week journey, I continue my quest to live out the commandment to love as Jesus loved and to live in the fullest way of thanksgiving for that love.

But first we must walk with Jesus this week...one step at a time. Oh that it were all Hosannas!

I sing, "Hosanna!" when I want it all. Then I crucify the Son of God. Cause He isn't who I always thought. Not what I want, but what I needed. I sing, "How great and mighty is the King!" Just as long as He considers me High above every other thing. Even His glory. Broken like a record. Spinning round and round Like a hurricane. I pour out water then I disappear. Reappearing when I fear enough, Or need a touch from You. I sing, "Hosanna!" once again Then I say, "Crucify Him!" It's packaged differently than Pharisees. Wrapped in sing-a-longs and Christianese. Empty hallelujahs to the King. When my heart is loving idols. A man of sorrows acquainted with grief, He had no form; He had no majesty. How could He have the audacity To ask me to give Him my tomorrow? Broken like a record. Spinning round and round Like a hurricane. I pour out water then I disappear. Reappearing when I fear enough, Or need a touch from You. I sing, "Hosanna!" once again Then I say, "Crucify Him!" Forgiveness, Forgiveness and love.

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Shane Barnard Crucify Him lyrics © River Oaks Music Co., Waiting Room Music