Good Friday Communion

Introduction

While I was studying and preparing for this communion, I thought the first thing I have to do is read the story again.

I started in Matthew and the way that he writes what happened on that Friday, then I went on to Mark, Luke, and John.

I will tell you that is one of the hardest things I have ever read, even though it is probably the 20th time I have read it.

I have yet to be able to read this part since I have been a Christian and understood it that I have not wanted to cry.

Matthew is probably the one I like to read the most, but John makes me want to cry the most which is interesting and if you read them, you'll see why but I don't have time to do that tonight.

I pray that I am never able to read this and not want to cry because that will be a scary day.

Crucifixion

This is how the death is described in Matthew:

Matthew 27:45–55 “From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land.

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?”

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink. But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.

Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.

When the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and looked after him were there, watching from a distance.”

Reading this part for me can make it really hard to call this Friday Good. I start to get this very narrow-minded view because of the grief I feel and the pain that my savior was put to death in such a vile way when he didn’t deserve it.

He took that punishment for me and you, we are the ones that deserve it yet he loved us so much that he took it on our behalf.

It is easy to get this narrow-minded view and just want to stop reading but if you do that you miss out on the best part of the story.

Rising of the Messiah

We pick up in Matthew Chapter 28:

Matthew 28:1–8 “After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.

The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.

The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

This is the best part: He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said.

Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news.”

Don’t let the pain and scariness of Friday keep you from celebrating the power of Sunday.

It makes me think of the Phil Wickman song “Sunday is coming”

The first two lines of the chorus says this:

“Friday's good 'cause Sunday is comin'

Don't lose hope, 'cause Sunday is comin'”

Don’t let the pain of Friday keep you from celebrating the amazing power of Sunday.

Don’t let the pains of this world keep you from celebrating the power of Jesus and our eternal life with him.

That is the message of communion and the power of the crucifixion.

Jesus suffered a horrible death in our place and rose on the third day so that we didn’t have to suffer that pain and so that we can be with him forever in paradise having conquered the power of sin and grave.

Don’t let the world and all the bad times that come in it stop you from reading the next chapter, from understanding this is not where the story ends only where it begins.

Friday wasn’t the end of this story only the beginning that ushered in Sunday.

The pain, the grief, the worry, the anxiety, the fill in the blank that you are going through is not the end, its the beginning of the story that Christ wants to use to bring you and everyone around you to him.

As we get ready to take communion on this Good Friday lets remember it is good because Sunday is coming.

Don’t stop reading the story on Friday or you miss the best part.

Don’t stop fighting the good fight now or you might miss the best part!

Communion

As I get ready to read from 1st Corinthians chapter 11 please prepare your bread.

I am going to keep the cup on the stand here; I've been told I make some people nervous with how much my hands move.

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 CSB

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

As I prepare to continue reading, please prepare your juice.

1 Corinthians 11:25 CSB

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

As we get ready to pray I urge you to take the lessons we learn from Good Friday and share it with someone in your life. We all have a time when we want to stop reading this life buth our Author isn’t don't yet and he wants to continue our story in amazing ways we just have to let him.

Let’s pray