Sermon Tone Analysis

*** Black stools for readers?

*** Wireless mics on boom stands for readers?

*** Backlight for stage?

*** Start ushering people into the service at 7

*** Long ago, before Jesus stood in front of the crowds who called for his crucifixion, he gathered with his disciples - his closest friends - the ones who would carry on his mission in the world, as the gathered church - and ate dinner with them.

In the same way, we began with a meal this evening to share in community and friendship with one another and continue the mission of Christ that he began some 2000 years ago.

As you gather inside the sanctuary, please enter in silence and pray for the Spirit to soften your heart so that you may remember the events that followed the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples and the hours leading up to his death.

*** Cello plays as people enter into the sanctuary - 7-7:15

*** Lights dimmed low

*** Christ candle lit

*** Sconce candles lit

*** Projector shutter off

*** Jake - Green

*** Lucas - Blue

*** Ally - Purple

*** Catherine - Red

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Tonight, we remember the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and the ultimate suffering of Christ.

Some 2000 years ago, our God, the creator of ALL things, broke into our world, assumed the position of a servant, and told us of how people like you and me could find redemption for our weary hearts, hope for our lost souls, salvation from our corrupt sin, and restoration to our Heavenly Father.

Tonight, all of this comes to bear, as we remember the final hours of Jesus’ life and ministry.

Here, I want to invite you into those finals hours through hearing the living history unfold as depicted in the Gospels.

As you listen, imagine your place in this history.

Hear the choice of Christ for you… Hear the suffering of Christ for you… Hear the death of Christ for you… As the writer of Hebrew states in chapter 2, verses 9 and 10:

“We see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

Let us pray together:

Heavenly Father, prepare our hearts to remember your Son - his sacrifice for every one of us - his suffering for every one of us - and his death for every one of us.

Lord, in your mercy, you chose to offer your son as a ransom for our captive life.

When we deserved death, you took it upon yourself.

When we deserved punishment, you extended us grace.

Lord, we can never know the full extent of your humility, nor can we understand its cost.

But we can give our lives to you as an expression of our worship and gratitude.

Lord, tonight, draw us near to you.

May we find peace in your suffering.

May we know love in your death.

Lord, bring us close to you.

In your holy name, Amen.

As you listen to the reading, still your mind, set aside those things that preoccupy you, soften your heart, and incline your ear.

When you hear me ask, “Who was this done for?”

Answer by saying, “This was done for me.”

Let us hear the final hours of the life of Christ…

BEGINNING OF NARRATIVE

[Narrative: section headers are not to be read]

Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."

And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

Stay here and keep watch with me."

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.

Yet not as I will, but as you will."

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.

"Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.

So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.

[the following section is a long prayer that Jesus prayed.

It was not prayed at this point in the narrative but was placed here to give the congregation a chance to hear Jesus pray for them.]

After this, Jesus looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come.

Glorify your Son, that I might glorify you.

For you granted me authority over all people that I might give eternal life to all those you have given me.

I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly made holy.

“My prayer is not for them alone.

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.

May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me.

May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.

I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

[This is the end of Jesus’ prayer]

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Peter, James, John.

Are you still sleeping and resting?

Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Rise, let us go!

Here comes my betrayer!"

CALL AND RESPONSE:

Who was this done for?

This was done for me.

SUFFERING OF CHRIST - PAIN AND IDENTIFICATION

Jesus Arrested

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived.

With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."

Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.

With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.