Good Friday Service

Tonight we are going to read about the crucifixion from two vantage points. We will be reading from Isaiah 53, which predicts the suffering and death of Jesus; and the Gospels which record the suffering and death of Jesus.

Everything Jesus went through was intentional. Each and every laceration, bruise, and insult was determined before the word began. There has never been a time without the mercy and compassion of God for sinners. When Adam sinned the Garden, God whispered in the ear of the devil the promise of Calvary.

Our goal tonight is to feel the weight of the sacrifice that Jesus has made for us; while also trusting in the certainty of God’s promise to us. As you hear the prophecy and the fulfillment let the fact that God planned to save you and forgive you wash over you. Let the imagery of the torture and crucifixion of Jesus settle on your heart. Everything Jesus experienced on the cross is what you deserved.

When the crowd turned their back on Jesus, it’s what your sin deserves.

When the nails pierced His hands, it’s what your sin deserved.

When the thorn imbedded itself in his brow, it’s what your sin deserved.

Tonight we have an empty cross in front of us because Jesus has already taken the punishment that our sins deserve. Even though we will recount His suffering tonight, He is not suffering still. My hope is that a somber and deep reflection on what Christ did for us will result in a renewal in our hearts and make Sunday morning even sweeter.

It’s Friday, and Sunday is coming, but we are going to sit for a minute tonight at the foot of the cross.

(Remember to read thoughtfully and dramatically… Don’t get too fast)

Isaiah 53:1-12 CSB

[1] Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? [2] He grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground. He didn't have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him, no appearance that we should desire him. [3] 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.

John 18:33–19:6 (CSB)

33 Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about me?” 35 “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 “You are a king then?” Pilate asked. “You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 “What is truth?” said Pilate. After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds for charging him. 39 You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” 40 They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary. 19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple robe. 3 And they kept coming up to him and saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” and were slapping his face. 4 Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing him out to you to let you know I find no grounds for charging him.” 5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” J6 When the chief priests and the temple servants saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate responded, “Take him and crucify him yourselves, since I find no grounds for charging him.”

Isaiah 53:4-8 (CSB)

[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.

Luke 23:26–49 (CSB)

26 As they led him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed him, including women who were mourning and lamenting him. 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29 Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the women without children, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’, 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32 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. 35 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. 39 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.”) 44 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. 47 When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” 48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. 49 But all who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Isaiah 53:9-12

[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.

Luke 23:50–56 (CSB)

50 There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, 51 who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. 52 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. 53 Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed., 54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how his body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

The nails were your nails

The cross was your cross

Prayer

Pass the moment to JB…

For JB- A summary of what and why we are doing the nails and the buckets.

The goal of the nails and the cross is to allow the congregation to reflect in silence on the truth that Jesus really did die in their place. As they hold the nails we gave them on the way into the room, they are encouraged to pray and lean in to the Lord. The demonstration of God’s love for us through the cross of Christ is going to be in view for them.

Everyone is encouraged to come to the cross and drop a nail in the bucket. With every drop of nail we are signifying that it was our sin that held Him there, and that we trust in Jesus for forgiveness and salvation.

Instructions:

Take a moment to reflect on the cross and sacrifice of Jesus

Come to the cross and drop your nail

Exit quietly so you don’t distract those who are still praying and reflecting on the cross.

Remind them not to linger right outside the sanctuary doors and talk, but to continue down the hall a little bit.