Good Friday Service 2024

Introduction:

Couple things to consider as we go through this evening together…

1. This is not a funeral service where we gather around and mourn the death of a loved one, or grieve as the world grieves.

2. We may find it necessary to weep, but let it not be because we think we have lost someone. Let the sadness that comes from out meditations on the subject of Christ’s death be because we know the cost to redeem our sinful lives was more than we can ever fully comprehend.

3. Remain, this evening, in an attitude of worship.

The word worship means to give value to something.

While we naturally give value to ourselves, the ultimate beauty and worth in this world belongs to God. And it is through Christ’s sacrificial and atoning-death that we can rightly understand His glory, His grace, His justice, and His love.

The plan for this evening together is as follows.

Read the Scriptural account of the crucifixion of Jesus. As we read, and listen intently, listen for parts of the story that make an impact on your spirit. You’ll know when it does, because it will ring true. It will impress awe upon your heart, or convict you of sin, or inspire in you a heart of gratitude to Jesus.

May the Lord’s Word do what only it can do.

As we read through the text, I will pause just briefly to give an explanation of at least one portion that I want to emphasize.

After that brief commentary, Nathanael and Micah will lead us in singing as a worshipful response to what we’ve heard in the Word.

You will have a chance to participate at the end. Take note of the part of the story that stands our to you, and why? I’ll give you 60 seconds to whoever would like to share just before we take the Lord’s Supper together.

Ok, let’s begin reading in Mark 15:1-15 15 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. 12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” 13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.