Good Friday, 2024

Welcome

Good evening. Welcome to The Table of Los Fresnos. Thank you for taking some time with us this evening.

Movie

Invocation

Tonight, is not a celebration. Tonight is not a funeral. Tonight is a death. We do meet because of Jesus, but we do so in the mirror of the Bible, showing us who we really are. Tonight, we embrace what we see in the mirror, because if we don’t… there is no hope for us. We have to see it all, hear it all… all the way to hearing Jesus proclaim… It is finished. We gather and we listen, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Confession/Absolution:

Pastor: Brothers and sisters in Christ, on this Friday that we call good, we are confronted with the serious nature of our sin. You see, it’s our sin that made this day necessary. So, it’s right and proper for us to reflect on and confess our sinfulness. Let’s come alongside King David in his words of Psalm 51, and with him say "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."

All: Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Completely wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.

All: For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. Against you—you alone—I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge.

All: Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me Surely you desire integrity in the inner self, and you teach me wisdom deep within. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

All: Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Turn your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt.

Pastor: God is merciful. Even before we were aware of the burden of our sin, God planned our salvation. He sent His only-begotten Son into this world of sin and made Him to be sin for us. It was our sin that He bore to Calvary's cross.

Pastor: It was the penalty for our sin that He endured. And it was because of His sacrifice that our sins are forgiven. As a servant of Christ and his Gospel, and through the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The Backstory

What happened on this night almost 2000 years ago changed all of history. In Genesis 3… Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Instead of giving them the death sentence like he had promised, God killed an animal and covered Adam and Eve with a Promise to make everything right through one of their heirs. Thousands of years passed, but it all came down to one night. This night. The night when God would make good on his promise to fix the sin problem. On this night, Jesus brought to fulfillment these words of Isaiah 53:

The Prophecy: Isaiah 53:3-12

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.

He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him.

4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains;

but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities;

punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.

6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way;

and the LORD has punished him for the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth.

Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.

8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment; and who considered his fate?

For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people’s rebellion.

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death,

because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully.

10 Yet the LORD was pleased to crush him severely. When you make him a guilt offering,

he will see his seed, he will prolong his days, and by his hand, the LORD’s pleasure will be accomplished.

11 After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied.

By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him the many as a portion, and he will receive the mighty as spoil,

because he willingly submitted to death, and was counted among the rebels;

yet he bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.

The Prophecy Explained

He bore the sin of many. Isaiah saw the day, when God would deliver on his promise to Adam and Eve. When the One who had been Promised through all the types and pictures and events of the Old Testament would finally make an end to the war between the Creator and Creature… God and man… He bore the sin of many. And so that night arrived. Jesus is arrested and put on trial. And he is sentenced to death by crucifixion. What happens next is for you and for me. Tonight, we recount the last moments of Jesus, using his words, the seven times he spoke, the seven words on the cross. These are the seven words.

The First Word: Luke 23:32-38

Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with him. 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”, And they divided his clothes and cast lots. The people stood watching, and even the leaders were scoffing: “He saved others; let him save himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him. They came offering him sour wine 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews.

The First Word Explained

The First Word: Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.

They don’t. They really don’t. And we really don’t. Rebellion against Jesus in breaking any one of his commands is not rational. It can’t be. Yet, there is Jesus. The opening words of Jesus from the cross sets up everything else Jesus says. Because the cross is all about forgiveness. Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.

Response of the Congregation

Pastor: Father, we are brought almost to tears as we stand at the foot of the cross.

People: We find it difficult to comprehend how much Your love did for us.

Pastor: Lord Jesus, we stand in awe of Your forgiving those who nailed You to the cross.

People: Help us to learn to forgive those who hurt us in the same way.

Pastor: Open our eyes, that we may see Your love more clearly in the death of Your Son.

First Candle Extinguished

Song: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

The Second Word: Luke 23:39-43

Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The Second Word Explained

The Second Word: You will be with me in paradise, today.

Unexpected. Shocking. The criminal deserves what he is getting. Jesus does not. “This man has done nothing wrong”. Yet Jesus is dying. For the thief. For you. For me. We deserve what Jesus gets. Instead, he becomes sin for us and gives us life… His life. We deserve hell. He gives us paradise.

Response of the Congregation

Pastor: Lord Jesus, open our eyes, that we, too, may glimpse the goodness of this day.

People: May we see how good You are, even in the midst of uncertainty and sadness.

People: Guide and direct us into Your paradise which awaits us, and reveal Your perfect peace to us.

Pastor: Heavenly Father, grant us a richer awareness of the hope that You provide in Your Son Jesus.

Second Candle Extinguished

Song: En el monte calvario/The Old Rugged Cross

The Third Word: John 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

The Third Word Explained

The Third Word: Here is your son. Here is your mother.

I can’t imagine what it would be like for a mother to watch her son die in this manner. Beaten beyond recognition. Blood streaming from his head where the crown of thorns cut into his skull. He is naked… they took his clothes. And she knows, she knows, it’s a frame job. That’s her son. Dying. The one born in a manger to the pomp of angels now dying in humiliation and pain. For her. For her. And in that moment, the son still cares for the mother. Woman, here is your son. And to John, here is your mother. While he dies for her sin, the provides for his mother’s care and protection. That’s grace.

Response of the Congregation

Pastor: Lord God, may we learn from our Lord's example to love others as You have loved us,

People: While seeing the worst we find in others and in ourselves, yet rejoicing in the forgiveness and acceptance we have received from You and share with others.

People: Encourage us to strive by the power of the Holy Spirit toward greater unity in our own families and toward unity in the family of believers in Christ Jesus.

Third Candle Extinguished

Song: The Wonderful Cross

The Fourth Word: Matthew 27:45-49

From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land., 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

The Fourth Word Explained

One of the most shocking statements, if not the most shocking statement in all of the Bible. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me. The words of David from Psalm 22… Jesus quoting scripture as he dies… and he chooses these words. God abandons God. The Father. The Son. This is surely why he agonized in the garden to the praying for another way, another solution. This moment. All the weight of the sin of the world… every sin, ever committed… becoming sin for us…. Bearing God’s wrath… what should have been ours… abandoned by the Father… My God, my God, why have you abandoned me… perhaps the most terrible words ever uttered… for us.

Response of the Congregation

Pastor: Lord, we would never forsake You, but in our daily hustle and bustle, we sometimes forget You.

People: Lord, we would never condemn You, shouting "crucify!“ although we have allowed evil to be done in Your name.

People: Lord, we would never deny You, saying, "I do not know the man!“ but we have avoided opportunities to witness to Your love and to share the good news of salvation in Your name.

Pastor: Lord, we would never shut You out of our lives, yet we confess that our own selfishness hides Your presence and love from us. Forgive us, O Lord.

Fourth Candle Extinguished

Song: At the Cross (Love Ran Red)

The Fifth Word: John 19:28-29

After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now finished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, he said, “I’m thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it up to his mouth.

The Fifth Word Explained

I’m thirsty. If there’s any doubt, that Jesus died a physical death, undergoing physical punishment, these words dispel the doubt. Crucifixion is considered by many to be one of the most cruel and inhumane means of execution ever invented by wicked men. It taxed the body. It was physical. It had to be physical. God had promised Eve that her offspring would be bruised. Not an angel. Not an animal. Her offspring. Her physical descendent, paying the price for her rebellion. The One who is Living Water, the one who created water, now needs water.

Response of the Congregation

Pastor: Lord Jesus, sometimes we forget that the pain and anguish You suffered was human pain and anguish.

People: We often feel sorry for ourselves, without realizing what You suffered on our behalf.

Pastor: Having given Your life on our behalf, help us to be bold in proclaiming Your name, despite the cost to us.

People: By Your suffering and death on our behalf, grant us the gift of life, life that is lived for Your glory.

Fifth Candle Extinguished

Song: Jesus Paid It All

The Sixth Word: John 19:30

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

The Sixth Word Explained

If Christ’s cry that God has abandoned him are the most terrible words ever uttered, these words are the greatest and most glorious words ever uttered. The promise to Adam… came down to this moment. It is finished. What is finished? All of it. All of the sin, all of the war, all of the rebellion, all of the self-righteousness, all of the selfishness, all of the narcicissm, and self-pity… all of the me-first moments… paid for. Nothing more to pay. By us. By anyone. It is finished. For all your past sins. All your sins from today. All the sins you’ll commit tomorrow. It is finished. There’s no amount of works, no amount of repentance, no amount of sorrow or contrition that you or I could ever muster up to make it right. Ever. It is finished. Nothing else to be done. In that moment. For you. For me.

Response of the Congregation

Pastor: Open our eyes, Lord;

People: The shadow of Your Son's cross encompasses all our world.

People: Teach our hearts, O Lord, that when our last hour comes, we may confidently commit ourselves into Your loving arms.

Pastor: Lead us, Lord, that we may follow You through the valley of the shadow of death into the place prepared for us at Your throne in Paradise.

Sixth Candle Extinguished

Song: There is a Fountain

The Seventh Word: Luke 23:44-46

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, 45 because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.”, Saying this, he breathed his last.

The Seventh Word Explained

Voluntary. This was all voluntary. He didn’t have to. But he did. Voluntary. This wasn’t an accident. This wasn’t a trial that went haywire. Rome thought they were in control. The religious establishment thought they finally rid themselves of a problem. The people thought they were dishing out what they thought he had coming, especially if he’s just going to overthrow Rome, like they wanted him to. Even Satan… what does Satan think when he hears, “into your hands I entrust my spirit”? His death should be cause for pandemonium, celebration among his enemies. But shouldn’t these words give pause? It’s all voluntary. In fact, these words make it sound like it’s all been orchestrated. Jesus said as much weeks before he died… nobody takes my life from me. I lay it down of my own volition. Payment in full for sin. Done. He didn’t have to but he did.

Response of the Congregation

Pastor: Lord Jesus, in Your death we have life.

People: We give You thanks that You finished the course set by the Father, that leads to our salvation.

Pastor: By Your holy death, strengthen us to remain faithful unto death, that we may receive the crown of life You have earned for us.

People: Lead and guide us, O Lord, beyond the darkness of sin into the light of Your grace, that we need not wander in the darkness forever, but may see Your glorious light.

Seventh Candle Extinguished

Song: Oh The Deep Deep Love

A Word of Reflection

For six hours, Jesus dies on a cross. His crucifixion was brutal. Barbaric. R-rated. At maximum levels. The skies are dark as Jesus carries the sin of the world. Yours and mine. And in the darkness of those hours, Jesus speaks. Seven words from The Word who dies. Who is this Jesus who speaks these words and dies this death?

When Jesus is first introduced to the world, his cousin, John, who is preaching on the banks of the Jordan river says this:

Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

The Lamb of God. Around Jerusalem that very day, thousands of lambs have been slaughtered. For thousands of years, lambs have died on Passover, recalling the dark night when God rescued Israel from Egypt. On that night, 1500 years before, a lamb had been killed for dinner and the blood of that lamb was painted on the doorframe of the house using a hyssop branch. They used that hyssop branch on that doorpost to paint lamb blood because the life of the Lamb was being exchanged for the life of the firstborn in the house. God said any home that did not have the lamb’s blood on the doorpost would lose the lives the firstborns living in the home. The hyssop branch dipped in lamb’s blood painted on the doorframe is life-saving for thousands of Israelites.

So that day… on a Passover weekend in Jerusalem… a day which was as dark as night… there is a Lamb who is dying crying out in thirst and the Bible says the Roman soldier took a hyssop branch, dipped it in blood red wine… and applied the blood-red wine to the lips of the firstborn lamb who was dying. That day on that cross the firstborn dies. Even though the hyssop branch is used, there will be no redemption for this firstborn. There will be no salvation coming. Because this firstborn is also the lamb, the lamb who forgives the sin of the world.

Those who are around the cross that day that the skies turned black heard all the words we just heard tonight. The seven words. These seven words are spoken by the Lamb of God who, at that very moment, is taking away the sin of the world. The Lamb who dies to forgive sins. That Lamb makes the promise to the thief on the cross. That Lamb cries out when he is abandoned by the Father. And that Lamb, dying for the sin of everyone at the cross and the whole word says “Father forgiven them… they have no clue what they are doing.” That Lamb cries out in thirst.

And it’s that Lamb that says “It is Finished.” The greatest sentence in any language. What's finished? All of it. The suffering. The pain. The agony. The hard work of taking our place, and paying for our sin. Saving us from our sin, giving us the forgiveness we need… just like he promised. It is finished.

And all of it is FOR YOU. There is no “it is finished”, there is no “God loving the world and giving his son” if there’s no “for you”. “For you” is the hope of the gospel.‌

In fact, “for you” is why Jesus did anything. “For you” is why there’s a baby in the manger at Christmas. “For you” is why God became a man and walked among us. “For you” is why he started this big ball and put our parents in a garden. This whole thing is “for you”. You. Jesus had you in mind.

So tonight… hear Christ's words. Understand and feel the darkness. See Jesus die. And hear John’s words: this is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

For you, for the sinner, this night… there is mercy. There is grace. There is hope. It is finished. We take our place alongside all those at the cross… the centurion and the crowds… seeing and recognizing that what is happening is what our sin deserves.

Your sin. My sin. Jesus loved us. Jesus gives us grace. God died for us with forgiveness on his lips. Forgiveness for me. For you.

Ponder what you’ve heard. Spend time with your family talking about the 7 words.. and what took place that night, Passover weekend, almost 2000 years ago. And join us right back here on Sunday… Easter Sunday… 10:30am… where we will proclaim the rest of the story.

Dismissal

You are dismissed.