Four Songs To Listen to On Good Friday

Jesus, remember me, when you come into the Kingdom 

On Good Friday, the second day of Triduum, we remember the passion and death of Jesus Christ. One of my favorite ways to reflect and pray on this sacred day is to listen to music that tells the story of Christs Passion. Below are four powerful songs that every Christian should listen to on Good Friday.

The Ultimate Meaning of Lent

For me, the words of the song, Jesus, Remember me, opens up the deep and hidden meaning of Lent.  We don’t go through our 40 days in the desert, we don’t go through this passion on Good Friday because we think the outcome is in doubt.  We proclaim the resurrection of Christ every day of our lives.  We don’t pretend that Jesus dies again today.  But, we celebrate Good Friday, we remember Jesus’ passion again this year and every year because the process of remembering allows these events to mold and shape our lives. 

It’s true that Jesus does not die again each year on Good Friday.  But, it’s also true that remembering Jesus’ death every year on Good Friday gives each one of us a new chance to enter into the powerful mystery of the death of the Son of God.  The yearly remembrance of these mysteries is for our benefit, so that these mysteries can change our lives, change our hearts.

The Best Songs to Listen to On Good Friday

1) Jesus Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom

Remembering Christ’s Passion and Death

As discussed on Holy Thursday, the song Jesus remember me is great for two reasons.  First, the words themselves are the words of one of the most powerful prayers ever recorded in the bible.  The good thief says these words to Jesus and Jesus responds, “today you will be with me in paradise.”  Today we remember Christ’s passion, we remember his death. 

One amazing way to enter into this mystery is by making the words of the good thief our own words: Jesus remember me.  We too are dying from our sins and from our crimes, take us with you into paradise.  There is no better day to bring our prayers before the Lord: Today Christ lifts all our prayers with him onto the cross and offers them to the Father along with his life.  So, we pray with boldness: Jesus, remember me.

Experience Christ’s Passion First-Hand

Second, the song Jesus remember me does a great job of putting us into the story.  Remember, we are not on the sidelines.  The story of the bible is our story, after all.  Walk up to Christ, hanging on the cross.  See the love he has for each and every one of us.  Be there when Jesus takes his last breath and hands over the Holy Spirit to us, his people.  Don’t let the story of Christ’s passion be a history lesson.  Be there and experience it first-hand.

Jesus, remember me is a great song.  Let it live in your hearts today.  It’s a powerful prayer that brings salvation to the singer.  It’s a powerful prayer that allows us to enter the very mysteries we celebrate.  Let these words live in your hearts today as we celebrate the Lord’s Passion on this Good Friday: Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

2) The Hammer

This powerful song by renowned Christian artist, Ray Boltz, transports you to the moment of Christ’s passion and crucifixion. With a powerful beat and lyrics you are transported to that sacred moment and view the events of the day from the perspective of the Roman soldier who nailed Jesus to the cross.

3) Watch the Lamb

Another incredibly song by Ray Boltz, Watch the Lamb tells the story of a father and his son’s who find themselves in the midst of the passion narrative. This is one of the most powerful Christian songs I have ever heard and truly transports you to the moments of the passion narrative. I can’t help but close my eyes and picture every moment of the passion each time I hear the song. It is a reminder that in our own lives we should always “Watch the Lamb”

4) King of Kings

By the popular Christian group, Hillsong, King of Kings, provides a feel good praise song to the King of Kings and is a reminder of hte purpose of Christ’s suffering and death.

 

About the Author

This article is based in part on a homily by Father Jake Runyon, a priest in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend . This post was originally published on his personal blog Docete and is shared here with permission.