“WITH profound reverence and sincere contrition of heart, we gather here to meditate on the seven last words of our Saviour on the cross. That we may better dispose ourselves to derive choicest graces from this meditation, let us go back in spirit to the first Good Friday and in spirit take our position on the hill of Calvary, called the Skull. Here we become spectators of the world’s supreme drama—the crucifixion of our Lord. We are not alone. A large congregation has assembled, not to pray and worship, but to blaspheme and persecute. The trial of Jesus had come to an end. Pontius Pilate, the cowardly Roman governor, had pronounced the death-sentence: ‘Take Him away and crucify Him.’ No time was lost. In anticipation of His certain doom, a ponderous cross had been selected for Him. Its crushing weight—symbol of the world’s guilt—now bears heavily on His bruised shoulders, and we see a dismal procession now winding its cruel tortuous way up the steep and rocky road to the summit of the hill. No death-march ever had its equal. Crowned with thorns, covered with wounds, streaming with blood, and staggering under His burden, comes the Saviour, followed by the two condemned thieves, all three tightly bound and closely guarded. Pressing close upon them are the numerous enemies of Jesus, a jostling mob, rending the air with frightful yells, curses and blasphemies.
“The procession comes to a halt. It has reached its appointed destination. A scene of unsurpassed brutality unfolds before our eyes. Spurred on by the gloating Scribes, Pharisees and high priests, the Roman soldiers lay hold of the cross and drop it to the ground. Shamelessly, they strip Jesus of His clothing and with it they tear the flesh that clings to His inner garments. Ghastly wounds are reopened and streams of blood flow afresh. Thus denuded, He is thrown upon the cross and made secure. One of the executioners places a large spike upon His right hand. The heavy hammer rises and falls with horrible precision and the iron nail crashes through flesh and bone, sinews and nerves. The left hand and then the feet of the sacred Victim undergo the same excruciating torture. Behold the innocent Lamb of God upon the altar of the cross! With no little effort, the unwieldy frame bearing its precious treasure is lifted on high. The lower beam is dropped with a dull thud into the hole prepared for it and fixed firmly in the ground. Thereupon, the two thieves are crucified: one on the cross to His right, and the other on a cross to His left.”
— Source
