IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Lead Me to Calvary

Many people in Jennie Hussey’s circumstances would have looked for a way out.  A way of escape.  A way of relief.   But not this woman. Not Jennie Hussey.

When friends and neighbors came to visit and cheer up Jennie, they were received with her radiant smile and spirit of joy.  No griping.  No grumbling.  No complaining.  But an attitude of encouragement that both amazed and lifted her friends.

For most of her life, this 5^th generation Quaker  lived in the same New Hampshire farmhouse as her ancestors. For decades Jennie worked tirelessly as she cared for and attended to the needs of her helpless, invalid sister.

How did she do it?  Why did she do it? What was Jennie Hussey’s secret?  

She told friends that she found joy in service. And that when she was serving her sister, it felt like she was serving Christ.  However, when she was weary Jennie would open her Bible and read the story of the cross.  There she found strength.  Courage.  And the will to continue on.

As the years wore on Jennie became disabled herself.  A crippling form of arthritis eventually left her incapacitated.  Yet, she remained positive.  Jennie wrote, “Please, Lord, make me willing to bear my cross daily without complaining because you bore yours for me.”  Out of this experience she wrote the lyrics to the song that William J. Kirkpatrick later set to music, “Lead Me to Calvary.”

This song was Jennie Hussey’s testimony.  Her statement of faith.  Her reason for living.

King of my life I crown Thee now

Thine all the glory be;

Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow,

Lead me to Calvary.

Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,

Tenderly mourned and wept;

Angels in robes of light arrayed

Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.

Let me like Mary, thru the gloom,

Come with a gift to Thee;

Show to me now the empty tomb

Lead me to Calvary.

May I be willing, Lord, to bear

Daily the cross for Thee;

Even Thy cup of grief to share

Thou hast borne all for me.

Chorus:

Lest I forget Gethsemane,

Lest I forget Thine agony,

Lest I forget Thy love for me,

Lead me to Calvary.

Some people have more than their share of heartache, pain, and suffering.  They bear burdens that seem unimaginable.  Their load is heavy.  Their obligations are demanding. Draining.  And constant.  Yet, like Jennie Hussey they find comfort in the cross.

What is happening in the “Friday” of your life?  Whatever it is, Jesus took it to Calvary on the final Friday of His life.  He bore the cross. Despised the shame. Suffered the agony.  Why?  Primarily to set us free from sin. And save us eternally.

But secondarily, Calvary’s cross helps us bear up under life’s suffering.  It gives us perspective.  It shows us courage. It provides a constant reminder.  It gives us will-power.  Staying power.  And spiritual power.

Calvary is a message of love.  Faith.  And hope.  Friday’s crucifixion was the greatest demonstration of divine love the world has ever witnessed.  Jesus’ faith was in the Father, and in those who would carry on His message.  And His hope was in the promise of the resurrection.  A promise we have been given.  A hope that we now share.  A reality that He made possible on resurrection Sunday.

I know it’s Friday.  And it may be difficult.  Wearisome. Burdensome.  But so was that Friday long ago.  His Hope and ours is buoyed by this fact– Sunday’s Coming!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman