The

Seven Last
Words of Christ
A Creative Meditation on the Cross

STUDY GUIDE
FOR PERSONAL AND GROUP USE
 This booklet is intended to be used with the recording of

The
Seven Last
Words of Christ
Poetry: Gary Wiens
Music: Ruth Fazal.
Also available “FOUNTAIN OF TEARS by Ruth Fazal
Sculpture :"Fountain of Tears" by Rick Wienecke. www.castingseeds.com

Published by Tributary Music

www.ruthfazal.com (416) 421 3806 Fax (416 ) 421 5998 Published by Tributary Music
Copyright 2004 Duplication is prohibited by law. www.ruthfazal.com (416) 421 3806 Fax (416 ) 421 5998
Copyright 2004 Duplication is prohibited by law.

A view of ‘Fountain of Tears’ by Rick Wienecke.
The fountain stands in the city of Arad, Israel.
Rick created this fountain in response to hearing
‘The Seven Last Words of Christ’
More about Fountain of Tears– visit www.castingseeds.com
RUTH FAZAL
Seven Last Words or Christ and
Fountain of Tears are just two of the
many recordings by Ruth Fazal.
For more information visit Ruth’s
website at www.ruthfazal.com
Introduction: 
  There is, in the contemplation of the death and resurrec‐
tion  of  Jesus  Christ,  a  profound  revelation  of  the  love  of  God. 
This disclosure comes to the hearts of those who desire to under‐
stand the reality of this pivotal event in human history. Beyond 
the  mere  facts  of  Jesus’  crucifixion,  beyond  the  basic  statements 
of  faith  that  we  repeat  in  rote  fashion  during  this  season  of  the 
year there is a reservoir of beauty, a well‐spring of ecstatic love 
that  awaits  the  seeker  who  will  linger  here  with  an  open  and   
expectant heart. It is a place of encounter with the heart of God 
that is worth the journey, for the revelation of His sacrificial love 
is  precious.  It  is  given  to  all  who  seek  Him  with  a  whole  heart, 
whose desire is accompanied by a measure of determination.  
  By  means  of  this  little  devotional  guide,  you  are  invited 
to engage in a journey into the heart of God. A way is provided 
to begin the process of comprehending the love of God, to begin 
to  gaze  upon  the  highest  earthly  revelation  of  His  Glory  –  the 
cross of Jesus Christ. It is our prayer that along the way, you will 
be  captured  by  the  heart  of  Jesus,  undone  by  the  revelation  of 
what He endured to win your affections. Questions are provided 
along the way that may be used in the context of group discus‐
sions. 
  May the Holy Spirit guide you step by step, and may the 
experiential  knowledge  of  the  passion  of  Jesus  Christ  captivate 
your heart, touching you with the power of His extravagant love. 
The Poems: 
  The nine poems that comprise The Seven Last Words of 
Christ cycle were written during a season of spiritual encounters, 
revelations of the crucifixion and the events surrounding it. In 
the winter of 2000‐2001, the author experienced a series of 
“visions of the mind” through which the meaning and impact of 
the passion of Christ was revealed to him in new and deeper 
ways. 
  Written from the perspective of John the Beloved Apostle 
standing at the foot of the cross, the poems are deeply personal, 
inviting the contemplative reader to share in the encounter. The  with Peter hounding hard upon my heels.
You were not there. Of course we knew,
scenes are vivid, the mood intense and unrelenting. And yet, in  now in the morning’s light, that death could never hold the Life,
the midst of unimaginable agony, the person of Jesus communi‐ that darkness could not comprehend the Light that shined.
cates tender compassion and mercy to those who dare to draw  The Word made flesh, filled with Father’s grace and truth,
alive again.
near.  I’d turned to go, and there You stood,
  and took my hand, and called my name, and drew me near.
The Pictures:   Your beating heart against my cheek released the tears,
as once again I took my place, the one You love,
  The photographs included in this guide are of sculptures 
inside Your heart.
that make up The Fountain of Tears, a magnificent work of art    And so the morning came,
created by Rick Wienecke in response to The Seven Last Words of  and once again I find myself before Your feet.
Christ poems. The Fountain of Tears stands  twelve feet high, and  Your eyes, alive with fire I’ve never seen, are fixed on me again,
and now I know.
sixty feet wide, and currently stands  in the city of Arad, Israel.    I know.
 
Some Hints for Meditation  Meditation: ( may also use  Fountain of Tears. Track 9) 
  Musing or meditating on a passage of Scripture, or on a  • Place yourself in the position of the disciples, and reflect on 
word or phrase in one of the poems simply means to “chew” on  the astonishing emotional journey they endured for those 
the concept. Here are some ways to do that:  three days.  
• Imagine that you are one of the characters in the scene,       • Let your heart touch the emotion of John as he is restored to 
observing the crucifixion with your own eyes.  relationship with the living Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to 
• Engage your mind and emotions in each encounter, paying  make this reality live in your 
attention to your thoughts and feelings as you consider what  heart as well. 
is before you.    
• Take a phrase, or a single word, and consider several ways of  For group discussion:  
saying the same thing.   Talk about the level of expectation 
• Let the Holy Spirit remind you of situations in your own life  that you have to see Jesus face to 
in which you felt similar emotions.  face. Pray for one another that the 
• Consider other passages of Scripture that come to mind that  embrace of the risen Christ will 
communicate similar truths.  fill your hearts with His joy over 
• Again, engage your emotions in this process. Go beyond  you. 
mere mental exercise, and allow your heart to become          
involved.  Prayer: 
• Use “ Fountain of Tears” as the backdrop for  further   Lord Jesus, fill my heart with understanding of the power of Your res‐
       meditation of each poem.  urrection. I want to live in the joy of intimacy with You, and come to 
  know the settled reality of full redemption because of what You did for 
May the Lord bless you as you enter into this journey of intimacy at the  me. Thank You. Amen. 
foot of the cross.   
• Reflect on what it might mean to have a heart that “burns   
within you” because of the instruction of the Holy Spirit con‐
1. Prologue: Before Your Feet 
cerning Jesus. Ask the Lord to give you that kind of vibrant 
 
response to His life in you. 
Prayer:  
 
Heavenly Father, please send Your Holy Spirit to 
For group discussion: reflect aloud on times when you experi‐
open the eyes of my heart, that I might             
enced the dynamic of the Holy Spirit revealing the person of 
comprehend Your love in the  sufferings of Jesus. 
Jesus to your heart. 
Amen. 
 
 
Poetry Session:               “The Morning” 
Scripture Reading: John 18:1‐19:37  
 
The morning came,  
and once again I find myself before Your feet. Meditation:  
Your eyes, alive with fire I’ve never seen, are fixed on me again, • Allow your mind to linger at points in the passage, freeing 
and now I know.
Such raw and ragged terror was our lot through yesterday. your imagination to “see” the events as they occur.  
We’d watched as soldiers came and pierced Your side, • Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into new comprehension of 
and watery blood came pouring out; the love of Jesus for you that drove Him to the cross. 
as Joseph came and took Your corpse,
and let Your mother hold You there, aggrieved, for one last time.  
We wrapped Your form in swaddling cloths, For group discussion:  
and as I washed Your ravaged face, the only thing my eyes could see Imagine yourselves as observers of the procession to the place 
was that last gaze, knowing that as You died, Your eyes saw me.
where Jesus was crucified. Talk about the emotions and thoughts 
Our shattered hearts, uncomprehending, broke again that you might have had as you watch these events unfold. 
as one by one we filtered through the door of Upper Room.  
We weren’t prepared for what we saw,
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 52:13‐53:12 
the cup poured out and remnant bread still sat upon the board,
and grief afresh assailed our souls.  
We wept, and held each other near, and told the stories Meditation: 
of Your love that changed our lives. • Take the time to muse upon the various phrases that catch 
We prayed together through the nights,
the endless nights, your attention.  
hardly knowing what to say – no words to say. • Let the Holy Spirit touch your heart with the truth that Jesus 
And then the morning came. bore your sorrows, sickness, and iniquities as He suffered. 
And Mary left to bring the fragrant oils to Your side,
and came exploding back with news • Give thanks to the Lord Jesus for His gift of love. 
that wounded hearts could scarcely take.  
She said You spoke her name, and when You did, For group discussion: talk about the statement “we considered 
the fire of passioned love
erupted fresh from aching core, Him smitten of God and afflicted.” It seemed that God had be‐
and all was right. come the enemy of Jesus, when in fact He was standing in our 
I took off running, madly racing toward my only hope, place. Reflect on what that means to you. 
 
Poetry Session:             Before Your Feet”
Before Your feet, O Lamb of God, I take my place.
I breathe Your Name
as tears in silent eloquence declare my thanks.
Your shattered visage announces healing for this broken image,
Thunders Your passion, avows Your love.
O, ceaseless wonder!
Unending cause of joy and gladness
that yet subdues me, stunning my heart
in contemplation of Your mercy.
You gave yourself in sober joy;
With face like flint you strode the path of crushing love.
Bruised beyond all recognition, You wore the thorny crown,
And dripped the blood that washes me – it washes me.
Before Your feet, O Worthy One, I find my rest.
Your cloven side my hiding place, the shelt’ring Rock
in which no accusation finds its mark.
I come to peace through Your own work that bought my life.
O, matchless grace!
Empowering flow of mingling tears and blood
that covers – nay, it carries all my sin and stain away.
The ceaseless flood that, once begun, can never end,
now surges through my heart and mind, and cleansing deeply,
brings the life for which I’ve longed and prayed,
the life to which You drew me from the start.
Before Your gaze, O Splendid Lord, I find my love.
Your eyes bore deep within my secret heart,
and speak my name.
And as Your voice declares my true design,
I feel the rush of power inside to know the Truth,
to stand as free.
O, wondrous myst’ry!
The ecstasy of being fully known and fully loved,
releasing all the fear and pain. And now I dare to trust again,
and take the risky steps of dancing on the mountaintops with You.
I take Your hand,
for You have stretched it out for me upon the cross.
How could I keep from foll’wing You, Who are my joy, my very Life.
Your precious love has won the day and drawn me near.
For group discussion:  
Talk about the suggestion that some of your most important 
work is accomplished in times when you feel the weakest. 
Prayer: 
Father, having seen the love of Jesus poured out, and that He could 
trust You even in death, I want to trust You like that. Send Your Spirit 
to my heart, and help me to abandon my whole life into Your hands. 
Amen. 
9. Epilogue: The Morning 
Prayer: 
Thank You, God, for the power of resurrection and restoration. Enable 
my heart to receive all that You have for me in this moment, that I 
might be settled in the knowledge of Your love and grace. Amen. 
 
Scripture Reading: John 20:1‐18 
 
Meditation: 
• Give thanks to the Lord and exult in His victory over death 
and the grave! 
• Let your emotions enter into the joy and amazement of the 
disciples as they began to encounter the risen Christ. 
• Reflect on the tenderness of Jesus to meet Mary so personally, 
and restore her heart. 
 
For group discussion:  
Talk about the emotions that Mary must have felt when the risen 
Jesus spoke her name and restored her to joy. 
 
Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13‐35 
Meditation: 
• Consider what it must have been like to hear the Lord      
Himself instruct these men from all the Scriptures concerning 
Himself. 
 You cannot die! Not now! You said ‘twas done! Meditation: ( may also use  Fountain of Tears. Track 1) 
My God, what now is this? How is this so?
What has happened now to hopeful sense, to silenced heart • Listen to the poem in its entirety, allowing its full beauty to 
that felt Your own repose? impact your heart and soul.  
How can this be? • Then, consider the text again, more slowly this time, giving 
Your mother screams.
I catch her as her limbs collapse, attention to each phrase as you meditate on His love for you.  
as sudden, horrid grief engulfs her soul,  
and my protecting arm becomes a useless thing, For group discussion:  
no power within to cover her,
How does the sacrifice of Jesus impact your heart with regard to 
to hold her heart in guarded place.
I fall with her to bloody ground, my eyes affixed to lifeless face your identity and place of significance to God? How does this 
that, staring down, has fixed on me. affect the way you relate to yourself and to others? 
My God. What now?  
Nothing. Silence. Prayer:  
The Word is dead.
Lord Jesus, I lay myself before Your feet this day, and ask that You 
  would send Your Holy Spirit to reveal Your love to my heart. I long to 
  know You more deeply, and to worship You with thanksgiving for what 
  You endured for my sake. Thank You, Lord. 
   
  2. Father, Forgive Them 
  Prayer: 
  Holy Spirit, please enable my heart to more fully experience the reality 
  that my sins are forgiven through the atoning work of Jesus’ death. 
  Amen. 
   
   
Meditation: ( may also use  Fountain of Tears. Track 8)   
• As you listen, consider the total confusion that the followers   
of Jesus must have felt – hearing Him speak hopeful words,   
and yet dying before their eyes.   
• Reflect on the power of God that is greater than death, and   
able to bring new life even out of the most shattering cir‐  
cumstances.   
• Meditate on the truth that in His weakest moment, His life   
at an end, Jesus completed His most important and effective   
work.   
   
Scripture Reading: Luke 23:1‐35  Scripture Reading: Psalm 31:1‐5 
   
Meditation:   Meditation: 
• Take the time to allow the intensity and agony of the         • Once again, consider how beautifully and completely Jesus 
unfolding events to impact you.  fulfilled the prophetic imagery of the Old Testament.  
• Consider the anguish of the faithful women who watched  • Reflect on what it means 
the procession in horror and disbelief.  for you to fully entrust 
• Feel the scorn of those who mocked and tortured the Son of  yourself to the Father’s care 
God.  in faith that He will do all 
  that is needed to bring you 
For group discussion:   fullness of joy. 
Reflect on times when you have been the object of scorn or   
mockery. Talk about what it means to you that Jesus received all  For group discussion:  
of that on your behalf.  What would it mean for your life if you felt full confidence that 
  God had your best interests at heart, and that you could fully 
Scripture Reading: Genesis 50:15‐21  trust Him in the place of your powerlessness? 
   
Meditation:   Poetry Session:              “Into Your Hands” 
• Consider this prophetic picture of God’s forgiveness in the   
story of Joseph and his brothers.   I cannot still my trembling flesh,
for shatt’ring cry of finished work now grips my soul,
• Meditate on the reality that as God allowed Joseph to suffer  untenable gladness erupting from places in the heart that moments ago
that he might bring salvation to his brothers, so Jesus was  knew only sorrow’s groan.
allowed to suffer so that forgiveness could be granted to us.  What is this certain thing that asserts its will
even as all external signs and rational thought demand despair?
  Something within, some One within, whispers a startling joy,
For group discussion: Joseph’s testimony concerning his  and terror’d heart begins its quieting.
brothers’ actions was “you meant this for evil, but God meant 
You move again, and now I see the calm repose upon Your face
it for good.” Talk together about times in your life that need to 
that pushes through the battered visage of murdered flesh
be reinterpreted according to God’s plans and desires.  and speaks of settled trust and adamant hope.
  Your eyes, no longer dark, are lifted now,
Poetry Session:        “Father, Forgive Them” and something certain, something true asserts its Presence,
and once again I stand in solid place, my feet upon the Rock.
And then You speak, and momentary reverie is shattered once again
What have they done? as words not bargained for escape Your lips:
They’ve taken You, Father, into Your hands I commend my Spirit.
O Jesus, Friend, and ruined You
Whose lovely visage is the crowning joy of all that is, And having said this, You breathe Your last.
Whose passioned song is light and life to all who walk upon this plane. I watch You die.
Did they not know? Wait! My heart explodes. This cannot be! My head is spinning.
• Consider the places in your life where you need an infusion  Did they not see that You were He of Whom the prophets spoke?
Did they not hear the words of life,
of hope, and ask the Holy Spirit to make the finished work of  or see the winsome way you touched the weak?
Christ on the cross real to you in your circumstance.  You moved among them,
  daily lifting broken people to the Father’s heart,
declaring truths that freed th’ enslavened soul to walk in joy.
For group discussion:   Did they not see?
Talk about the things that seem hopeless to you, and consider  Did they not know?
together what “it is finished” means in your situation.   What have they done?
What have we done?
 
We did not see,
Prayer:  O Jesus, Friend, the sorrow in Your blazing eyes
Jesus, thank You for not shrinking back. Thank You for loving me  as words of strife and selfish pride poured from our lips just yesterday.
enough to go the whole way, to drink the whole cup of salvation for me.  “Which one’s the greatest?” was our cry,
as foll’wing You toward Olive’s Mount
Help me to follow You with all my heart, and to finish the course You  we argued for position even as You strode in silence
have laid out for me. Amen.  toward the place of exaltation none of us would dare desire.
You asked if we could drink Your cup,
8. Into Your Hands  and in our swaggering ignorance we claimed we could.
Prayer:  My God! What hubris, what profane conceit!
Father, open my eyes today to see the truth that I can fully trust You  Did we not see?
Did we not know?
with all my life. Because of Your great love demonstrated in Jesus’  What have we done?
death, I believe that You will keep Your promises to me. Amen. 
  What have I done?
This darksome day,
Scripture Reading: Luke 23:44‐49  O Jesus, Friend, I stand before Your cross in guilty shame
  and own the stain of human sin,
Meditation:  and echo Judas’ cloying cry – “Am I the one?”
I am not innocent,
• Reflect on the tearing of the veil of the Temple. In that mo‐ but stand as one with those who rent the flesh,
ment, the Man Christ Jesus entered the very Presence of God,  and tore the beard,
having fully met all the requirements of obedience and holi‐ and drove the nails,
and mocked the Name.
ness on behalf of the human race. Rejoice in the fact that  I am the one who put You there, the Lover of my soul.
through Jesus, access to the Father has been accomplished.  O, matchless Friend!
• Consider the confidence in the Father’s love that Jesus dem‐ O, Son of God!
I weep in anguish as I see what foolish eyes can ne’er behold –
onstrates. Even though He had been abandoned, He did not  the King of Glory dies for me.
waver in confidence, but trusted the Father even in death.  Did I not see?
  Did I not know?
What have I done?
For group discussion: talk about some times when the only op‐
tion you had was to commit yourself into the     Father’s hands,  With anguished groan
trusting that His love would deliver you.  You lift Your sacred head
  And fix Your gaze on me, before Your feet
The tears of ardent love roll down Your face
 I search Your face, but nothing shines,
as sin’s dead weight begins to steal Your breath. Your countenance now ruined, Your form now shattered.
I scarce can look,
but something reaching down to me And now, as though with horror fresh, I watch Your eyes grow wide,
from deep inside Your riven breast Your face contorting with anguish new
Commands my eyes to gaze on You, as some late loathing strikes Your heart.
to lock with Yours I cannot bear the terror here,
As mighty words pour forth to me alone, the crazed confusion as wave upon relentless wave of panic
and then to all who dare to hear: strikes my heart at evidence of Your dismay.
Father, forgive them. They know not what they do. And yet despite my fear, I cannot turn,
  but only stand before Your feet to wait in tortured grief
for Your demise.
Meditation: ( may also use  Fountain of Tears. Track 2) 
• Listen to the poem in its entirety, considering the progressive  And then, as with uncanny strength,
awareness of personal guilt and shame that confronts the  You draw a breath that seems to capture Death itself,
and darkness grim begins to yield before Your dying and forsaken form.
participant.   What do You see?
• Reflect on the fact that the death of Jesus was not only  Is some new understanding flowing back into Your mind
brought about by others who did not understand, but by my  as darksome fear begins to flee Your stricken face?
Does comprehension of a plan once stolen from Your heart
sin and guilt.  
because of pain
• Read the poem again, giving time to each section, allowing  now loose Your joy again?
the Holy Spirit to reveal your attitudes and actions that con‐
tributed to Jesus’ death.   What do I see here? Is blackness bowing even as Your life flows out?
What is this thing that I behold?
• Finally, as you meditate on His incredible statement of for‐ The sun, eclipsed in horrid night, begins to glance at me again
giveness, allow the washing and cleansing power of Christ’s  tho’ shadowed still by rugged tree,
mercy to flood over you, and receive His forgiveness afresh.  and in that moment comes a cry that shatters gates on hell itself,
and something older,
  something stronger than the devil’s plan asserts its will
For group discussion:   through tortured voice of God’s own Son:
Reflect on the thought that Jesus’ sufferings were caused by our  “It is finished!”
My soul is shaken at the sound,
particular sins, as well as by the sins of those who were   for in the midst of crushing loss I feel absurd and foolish things,
physically killing Him. Talk about the  that whatever it was that You call done,
impact this realization has on your  ‘tis not Your life that’s over now,
regardless of the things our eyes will see.
own heart.  There’s something more, a dawning day that now will come,
  despite the things our eyes will see.
Prayer:   There’s something more.
A dawning.
O Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner. I am  Something more.
the guilty one, and You stood in my place   
that day. Let me know the power of for‐ Meditation: ( may also use  Fountain of Tears. Track 7) 
giveness, that I may stand free and clean before You with a thankful  • Reflect on the fact that in the darkest hour, there is an in‐
heart. Amen.  breaking of hope because of what Jesus accomplished. 
  3. Paradise 
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:1‐25  Prayer: 
Meditation:  God of mercy, thank You for the power of  
• Consider again the wondrous truth that Jesus fully finished  forgiveness, and the reality of restoration.  
all that was necessary for our salvation. He did it all! Give  Send Your Spirit to my heart today, that I might 
Him thanks for His wonderful sacrifice of love.   have grace to understand the riches of Your mercy  
• Reflect on the glorious liberty that comes to us, having had  and grace. Amen. 
the way opened for us to fully know the Father and live in   
His presence.  Scripture Reading: Luke 23:36‐43 
   
For group discussion:   Meditation: 
Talk together about what it means to “come boldly,” or with full  • Consider the wondrous reality that the God‐Man, the King of 
and confident self‐disclosure into the presence of God because  kings, endured such mockery without retaliation.  
of what Jesus did.  • Meditate on the fact that Jesus, Who could have summoned 
  legions of angels to rescue Him (Matthew 26:53), chose to re‐
Poetry Session:            “It Is Finished”  main in the place of suffering for the sake of love. 
   
I stand in anguished stupor now as here, before Your feet,
my heart is filled with coercive fear. For group discussion:  
Silent, patent hatred and stark confusion comprise the order of the day, What would it mean for you to bear in patient silence the diffi‐
and dismal darkness, descended despite the cloudless day, culties that are placed on you by others?  
increases now.
You said that in Your life was Light of men,  
but now that life drips at my feet, and now You die, Scripture Reading: John 17:24‐26 
and darkness reigns.  
Beneath my arm, the shiv’ring form still stands. Meditation: 
My Mother now – my God, what is this love inside my breast? – • Reflect on Jesus’ statement – “Father, I desire that they also . . . 
I cannot bear her silent grief. may be with me where I am.” What a wondrous thing this is, 
Why is her soul cast down,
that Jesus would have a burning desire for weak human be‐
her heart disquieted in anguished oppression,
calling on the One Who hears, ings! 
and yet Who seems on this dread day not to care to listen? • Consider Jesus’ prayer request that the Father would em‐
She softly sobs, waging the violent war of chosen trust power us to love Him even as the Father loves Him. 
In the Father of the Living Word struck silent here.
O lovely Lord, You stir again and lift Your head  
to stare upon the world with vacant eyes, For group discussion:  
no longer seeing, it seems, this wasted hill, Reflect on the reality that Jesus’ heart is filled with desire that 
but gazing instead on other realms, unknown to any mind,
save Yours alone. you be present with Him. Describe your feelings of being desired 
What do You see, O precious Lamb, by Him so much that He endured the cross to have you. 
Whose Name was called the world’s own Light?

  Poetry session:                “Paradise”  For group discussion:
 
See how He hangs there.
Impossible pain screaming from His shredded flesh
as splintered spar abrades the ruined body
that bore my head upon its breast mere hours ago.
My heart explodes,
my mind is rattled,
as though some giant hand has stretched from heaven
and shaken the soul,
the very core of what is good and true.
Why do they shout?
Why do they mock with vicious words from hate-filled hearts?
What makes them strike Him,
Whose hand was never raised except to bless?
I want to stop them,
but I am paralyzed and impotent, transfixed in horror,
able only to stand and watch
as demon’d hordes swarm and swirl,
hellish eyes glaring at that lovely face,
the face of God made flesh,
now spoiled and ploughed by Satan’s rage.
My gaze is drawn away,
just for a moment,
as a single voice seems to stand above the crowd,
and angry, anguished accusations spew from one
who hangs on neighb’ring tree.
“Aren’t you the Christ?
Then show yourself!
Do something big!
Come down from there, and take us with you!”
But bitterness and scorn comprise th’ aroma of this cry, not faith.
It seems a venting,
one last defiant gesture from a life a-wasted,
flung in blatant disregard of the One
Whose merest word had set so many free.
My focus shifts once more to Jesus’ eyes.
I watch aghast as He allows
the hateful words to pierce His heart,
and makes no move to fend them off.
His gaze affixed on robber’s face,
His mournful tears flow unrestrained
  
Reflect on the various images in Scripture of 
the healing river. Talk about how those images 
impact your heart. 
 
Prayer: 
Father in heaven, I give thanks with all my heart 
that Jesus, the Fountainhead, was spent and thirsty on that tree, that I 
could drink and live. You astonish me with Your mercy. I give You my 
whole self in thanksgiving. Amen. 
 
7. It Is Finished 
Prayer: 
Lord Jesus, I give You thanks that You finished the work of redemption 
on my behalf. Prepare my heart to comprehend more fully what You 
accomplished that day, that I might live in greater love and gratitude. 
Amen. 
 
Scripture Reading: John 19:30 
 
 
Meditation: 
• Consider the range of human 
need that was met in the 
death of Jesus on the cross. 
Give thanks that He did not 
shrink back, but completely finished the work the  
      Father sent Him to do. 
• Allow the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind any area of bro‐
kenness, sickness, or need in your life, and reflect on the fact 
that because Jesus finished the work, nothing will separate 
you from the love of God. 
For group discussion: Talk about what the phrase  It is finished” 
means to you in your relationship with God. 
 as tender words from better days are drawn across my mind.
I feel dismay as puzzling joy begins to well inside my breast.
How can this be?
I am confused, but something, Someone calls my heart awake
to see the Truth that now pours out from riven side
of my Beloved.
The Living Water, You proclaimed, would flow from deep within
the one who dared to drink from You.
You spoke of Rock that Moses struck,
and fiery stream that Daniel saw
come coursing down from Ancient Throne.
The Stream that gladdened City’s heart,
the Jordan that cleansed the leper’s stain,
the River Ezekiel could not cross,
the fresh’ning Flow that greens the leaf in midst of drought –
all these were pictures of Your life poured out that men might live.
The stirring pool of Bethesda’s porch,
The washing font at Temple’s door –
O precious Friend – the Wine with which You filled the cup.
My Lord! It’s You! I fall in wonder, worshipping, before Your feet.
And now, O God,
ev’n as I see the wondrous gift of Mercy’s flow,
I feel the aching, tender surge of grateful heart
as I behold Your life poured out for me.
My tears flow freely once again
as I behold and bless the One
from Whom all blessings flow,
the Fountainhead, now spent
and thirsty on that tree
that I might drink and live.
as He extends embracing arm,
one held in place – it surely seems –
by something more than just a Roman nail.
The clangorous sound of angry cry
awakens him who hangs on opposite side.
The movement of his head attracts my gaze
as through his pain he forms his thoughts.
He speaks with eerie calm,
as though a grace has touched his lips:
“Do you not fear the One to Whom you speak?
We are the dead; He alone deserves to live.
We stole and ran,
grasping to ourselves the stuff we hoped would give us life.
He clung to nothing,
gave His very self,
poured out in joyful sacrifice to all who asked.
“O Lord, remember me,” he pleads,
“that in Your Kingdom my name may be declared.”
The eyes of Jesus shift toward him,
and glance at me along the way.
My God! He’s smiling,
tho’ the tortured grimace would not be understood
by one who knew Him less than I.
And in that glance my eyes are graced to see beyond the present day,
And I behold with staggered heart a throng,
a host of people now aligned behind this thief,
whose last-ditch plea has flung the Door of Heaven wide,
and called them all to enter in,
the no-hope Bride who at the last did find her Way.

Meditation: ( may also use  Fountain of Tears. Track 6)  I fall in worship as the seemingly conquered, conquering King

smiles now through horrid pain.
• As you listen, ask the Holy Spirit to enable your whole being  His longing heart,
to connect with the agony of the cross. Allow yourself to feel  about to burst with cleansing stream,
the horror that must have been felt by all who saw it.  Rejoices now that this one heart has heard His call,
agreeing with the Father’s voice.
• Reflect on the poem’s assertion that the flow of Christ’s blood   With sorrow’d joy a-flowing down,
was the fulfillment of all the “river of life” imagery of the  with groaning words and heaving sighs,
Scriptures.  He breathes response that sets the captives free:
• Give thanks that the blood of Jesus is   Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.
      sufficient for your redemption and healing. 
  • Reflect on how the pathway laid out 
Meditation: ( may also use  Fountain of Tears. Track 3)  for Jesus from all eternity was fully 
• Listen to the poem, allowing your imagination to perceive  embraced by Him, leaving nothing 
the chaos and horror surrounding the crucifixion scene.  unfulfilled in the process of our re‐
• Consider the stunning reality that Jesus endured all this  demption. 
pain and terror, and yet held His heart open in mercy to all   
those around Him.  For group discussion:  
• Consider Jesus’ heart toward the thief as revealed in the line  How does the precise fulfillment of 
“. . . as He extends embracing arm, one held in place – it surely  Old Testament prophecies affect your 
seems – by something more than just a   confidence that God’s plan is specifi‐
      Roman nail.”  cally effective for you? 
• Reflect on the reality that this robber was one whom Jesus   
desired to be with Him. In the midst of agony, Jesus recog‐ Poetry Session:  “I Thirst” 
nized the Father’s answer to His own prayer.   
  How long, O Lord, did howling dark encrust and cloak Your brow,
and wasting murk hold sway in empty eyes?
For group discussion:   The moment seemed eternal here,
How does the fact that Jesus opens His heart to undeserving  from where I stand,
people who call upon Him at the last minute affect your emo‐ before Your feet.
No part of me could even begin to grasp what happened here,
tions? Share stories of people you know that came to Him in the  to comprehend the depth of wretched anguish You endured,
final moments of their lives.  the miry pit to which the hand of God abandoned You.
  Lord Jesus Christ, I cannot see, I cannot tell
the merest part of what this day on earth has wrought.
Prayer: 
I only know the silent scream inside my heart,
Holy Spirit, would you reveal to my heart the truth that the heart of  the raging grief that grips me now
Jesus is never closed to those who seek Him. Help me to see myself and  at what my race has done.
others as Jesus sees, to know and comprehend His great love. Amen.  I drop my gaze as tears fall fresh upon the ground
already wet with sorrow’s pain.
  Have mercy, O my God, on me.

But now, I hear Your injured groan

as once again You stir
in grim attempt to raise Your head.
The rasping, grating sound
that comes from You
is barely heard,
though silence shrouds this holy hill:
“I thirst”
The craving words provoke response,
and someone offers You the sour wine.
And as You wet Your lips on hyssop’s branch,
an aching truth begins to dawn within my heart,
For group discussion:    
Talk about what it means to you that the Son of God fully un‐
 
derstands what it means to be left in the lurch, and how His 
faithfulness in that place can comfort you in your situation.   
   
Prayer:   
O God, help my heart to comprehend what You did for me in the death 
of Jesus. Help me to give Him all of my heart and being in thankful‐
 
ness for His sacrifice. Amen.   
6. I Thirst   
4. Behold Your Mother 
Prayer: 
Prayer: 
Lord Jesus, help me to hold my heart open as I consider Your suffering 
Holy Spirit, I invite your presence now to give light to my eyes, to open 
for me. I long to know You more deeply in this place. Send Your Spirit 
my heart to understand the love of Christ more deeply. Show me the 
to assist me now, for Your own sake. Amen. 
heart of Jesus for those who stand in the place of  
 
intercession. 
Scripture Reading: John 19:28‐29  
 
 
Scripture Reading: John 19:25‐27 
Meditation: 
 
• Consider the physical agony that Jesus must have experi‐
Meditation: 
enced – dehydration from the wounds He suffered as a re‐
• Consider the idea that John and Mary represent the oversight 
sult of the beatings, scourging, and crucifixion. 
and care of His beloved people, especially those who pray to 
• Meditate on the irony that the One who is the Fountain of 
bring forth the purposes of God. 
Life should die thirsting in such a way. 
• Reflect on the place of intimate partnership that Jesus gives to 
• Reflect on the stark imagery that as the vital fluids flowed 
John, to stand in His own place of responsibility and compas‐
from the body of Jesus, the River of Life was flowing to all 
sion for the Church. 
who require it. 
• Meditate on the agony of Mary’s heart as she witnessed the 
For group discussion: Reflect together on times when your 
suffering and death of her Son, the Word she brought forth 
heart was encouraged by knowing that someone else truly     
through her intercession. 
understood your circumstance. Talk about how their suffering 
 
was a fountain of life to you. 
For group discussion: Consider how Mary bore and gave birth 
Scripture Reading: Psalm 22:15; 69:21 
to the Word made flesh. How does the Holy Spirit bring His 
Meditation: 
Word into being through us today? 
• Give thanks for the precise fulfillment of the prophecies of 
 
Scripture, given so that we might see the grace of God ful‐
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26‐38; 2:25‐35 
filled in Christ. 
Meditation:  I cannot bear to see what now is so,
for until now,
• Reflect on the truth of how God speaks a word into the heart  e’en tho’ the pain of slivered bar weighed full upon His slitted back,
of a person, that they might bear it, and “give birth” to it in  could still be seen Your gracious hand
the fullness of time. upholding and sustaining Him from deep within.
But now it is not so!
• Consider things the Lord has spoken to you, and the some‐
I scarce can think,
times difficult journey of seeing those things come to fullness.  for in His eyes the Light grows dim,
  and terror takes the place of peace,
as though a damned darkness wrests His soul from Your own hand.
For group discussion:  
It cannot be! This is not so!
What are some things that God has spoken to you that have not  Surely I dream a tortured dream
yet come to pass? Reflect on how Mary’s life as Jesus’ mother  and soon will wake to find my Lord beside my bed
could be encouraging for you in your process.  to calm the fear and speak the Word of peace and hope.
But now this cursed trance is shattered by an anguished sound
  that seems to come from on that tree,
Poetry session:         “Behold Your Mother”  And deep within I know the ghastly truth that, far from dream,
  this day is all too real.
Your shattered form has held my eyes in gaping stare, A shaking grips my feeble frame,
as standing here I wait. as though the earth itself is being crushed by God’s own wrath.
There’s nothing else to do or say, An energy rips through His shell,
no options left except to look upon Your ravaged frame. arising not from gracious strength, but fear itself,
The weight of glory forces me to look away, As wounded, sacred head is wrenched around from side to side,
and yet – it can’t be helped! – I must again return my gaze and flesh convulses.
to see the shining forth of ancient Word, With pow’r not borne of joy, I see His eyes distend,
made flesh so this eternal day could bring forth grace. and lips prepare to loose a scream transcending human pain,
one reaching through the span of time and space
The movement by my side reminds me Encapsulating every anguished cry
that another heart is bleeding out this day. that has e’er escaped from desolate heart:
My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
The Word she pondered in a heart so deep and still
when she herself was but a child My God, what have You done?
now hangs before her eyes in such a state she ne’er conceived.
She shudders at the shock of seeing horror Meditation: ( may also use  Fountain of Tears. Track 5) 
taking form in such a personal, familiar way. • Once again, allow your mind’s eye to “see” the horror of the 
And so I draw her near, scene, and let your emotions  feel the terror of encroaching 
this frail pillar,
bearing weight beyond proportion evil. 
as the Mother of the Son of God. • Meditate on the reality that Jesus, as a man  with no help 
from His Father in heaven or from His friends on earth, was 
I feel the gripping power of His gaze
and suddenly know unwavering in His trust of the Father, even though He  
He has regarded me from endless ages,       could not find Him in the moment.  
choosing me, • Give thanks that because of this event, Jesus personally 
considering my life for just a day as this.
Can it be so? knows and understands the anguish of every abandoned and 
I know not how. desolate child. He will have mercy on the afflicted! 
But as my eyes are fixed again on piercing stare from Burning Heart,
• Give thanks for the way God has ordained and overseen the  His ravaged lips begin to speak,
and something like the hand of God invades my chest to grip my heart
fulfillment of Scripture.  and lift me up to other realms,
For group discussion:   to place of privilege the depth of which I do not nearly comprehend.
Talk about times when you have felt abandoned and without  “Woman, behold your son.
And John, behold your mother”
help. What things do you think the Holy Spirit was working in  Oh, my God,, what is this explosion in my breast, his searing and
you at the time?  rending verity distending the limits of my soul,
  shattering the boundaries of my affections, inserting, with no regard for
human choice or natural fondness, this one into my heart whose faith
Poetry session:                    “Forsaken” 
exceeds by far that of the saints of old.
The dark, the interminable day plods on,
imperceptibly passing before my eyes in ceaseless horror. Who is she?
I cannot look away, Who am I?
though all my mind and soul recoils at what I see: What have You done?
This nightmarish spectre, And once again my eyes are
this abomination that once I called my dearest Friend. opened,
O Jesus Christ, my being taken into His,
How can it be that thoughts like these course through my mind, and I see with eyes as
for it is You, the One Who is the same and never changes, though mine own
Who now is bound to torturous tree. These two, before His feet,
once again saying ‘yes’ to
What horrid alteration does eye behold, words they cannot compre-
that dares to glance upon that frame? hend.
For now there comes a darkening thing,
a presence grim,
that steals upon Your bruised face, And in her place I see the train of those who hear Your Word
and I am loathe to take it in. and stand in dazzling darkness, contemplating,
My eyes avert, nurturing the seed of God implanted deep within the womb of faith.
deflected now by hell’s own power She is Eve, and Sarah, and Hannah all brought to fullness,
as something old and harsh, the exemplar for all those yet to come who gaze on You,
a wasting darkness devoid of light receiving kisses from Your mouth,
begins to crawl o’er visage torn. and bringing forth the Word made flesh,
that it might walk again the streets of earth,
What is this thing? Your Kingdom come.
I’ve known You well these three short years, And here You place me, O my Lord,
and never have I seen despair like this – a watchman for the Marys,
such anguish, one to carry them in my heart,
such eclipse in eyes that ever shone with God’s own Light. a friend and father,
I sense a terror rising in my soul as murky wave assaults Your form. advocate protector,
How can this be? to see with Your own eyes their virgin hearts,
From where may come this daring, hellish cloud and guard them well.
that moves to twist the face I love – I feel within the fierce Defender,
O tender Lord! - into a mask of craven fear. the jealous Lover
O Mighty God! Who’ll not allow His Glory,
Why strike You now this crushing blow upon the One Who is Your Son? His Bride to be dissuaded from His love,
  
His ardent love.
And I say  
Yes, I will behold Her,
and hear Your Word
and speak Your truth, 5. Forsaken  
and call Her forth to stand in grace,
in ever-growing knowledge of the love Prayer: 
that burns with passion undiluted Heavenly Father, open my heart today to the  
in the heart of Christ, reality of the sufferings of Jesus as He was 
The Word,
the Son, abandoned to death for my sake. Show  me 
the Bridegroom King. Your heart, and help me to comprehend what 
You have done for me. 
Meditation: ( may also use  Fountain of Tears. Track 4)   
• As you listen to the poem, consider Jesus’ tenderness toward  Scripture Reading: Mark 15:33‐36 
His mother, who bore unimaginable grief as she watched   
His suffering.  Meditation: 
• Meditate on the role that Jesus gives to John as the one who  • Allow your heart to feel the agony of abandonment, 
will guard her and cover her in His absence.        especially in view of the constant and profound intimacy 
• Let the Holy Spirit strengthen your heart to bear patiently  with the Father that Jesus lived in through His entire life. 
the process of bringing forth the things He has promised  • Consider the necessity of this abandonment – Jesus had to 
you.  choose to trust the Father’s love in the face of pure evil, with 
• Ask the Lord to show you others that you can cover in  no help from heaven. 
prayer as they await the fulfillment of promise.  • Meditate on the role of the Holy Spirit to hide the Father’s 
  face, in order to  assist Jesus in His task of intercession. 
For group discussion:    
Consider others that are bearing the weight of a promise yet   For group discussion: Reflect together on the necessity of a man 
unfulfilled. How can you cover them as John was asked to cover  under pressure, with no help from heaven, being obedient to the 
Mary?  Father in order to bring salvation. 
   
Prayer:  Scripture Reading: Psalm 22:1‐21 
Jesus, thank You for the love You have toward those who carry Your  Meditation: 
promises. Thank You for the provision of care and covering You have  • Reflect on the historic progression of this Psalm –                  
made, and help us to see those You love as You see them. Amen.  an individual, the writer, cries out in agony for deliverance, 
and that cry becomes the national cry of the people of Israel. 
Jesus then fulfills that agony, giving full expression to the          
desolation of abandonment.