There are two services with reflections
Welcome & Notices
Opening Acclamations
Christ became obedient unto death for us:
even death upon a cross.
He was pierced for our sins:
bruised for no fault but our own.
His punishment has brought us peace:
and by his wounds we are healed.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches and wisdom:
strength, honour, glory, and praise. Amen.
542 There is a green hill
Sealed with a kiss. Mark 14.43-50 see homily at end with others
398 My Lord, what love is this
Confession
God shows his love for us in this: while we were still sinners. Christ died for us. Sure of reconciliation through the death of his Son, we confess our sins to God. Romans 5.8
Lord Jesus Christ, we confess we have failed you as did your disciples. We ask for your mercy and your help. Our selfishness betrays you: Lord, forgive.
Christ have mercy.
We fail to share the pain of your suffering: Lord, forgive.
Christ have mercy.
We run away from those who abuse you: Lord, forgive.
Christ have mercy.
We are afraid of being known to belong to you: Lord, forgive.
Christ have mercy.
May the Father of all mercies
cleanse us from our sins, and restore us in his service to the praise and glory of his name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
168 Here is love
An innocent man? Matthew 27.15- 26
400 My song is love unknown
Tears for fear. Luke 22.54-62
596 When I survey
A Creed
Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God:
Though he was divine,
he did not cling to equality with God,
but made himself nothing.
Taking the form of a slave,
he was born in human likeness.
He humbled himself,
and was obedient to death –
even the death of the cross.
Therefore God has raised him on high,
and given him the name above every name:
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Philippians 2.9-11
Adopted. John 19.25-27
111 What kind of love is this?
Paradise regained. Luke 23.38-43
Prayers
Father, Simon from Cyrene was forced to carry the cross for your Son. Give us grace willingly to lift heavy loads from those we meet and to stand with those condemned to die.
Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Your Son watched the soldiers gamble to share his clothes.
Look with forgiveness on those whose hearts are hardened by their work, and those who know not what they do. Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
The thief looked for the coming of the kingdom, and heard Christ say 'Today you shall be with me.' Give pardon and hope, healing and peace to all who look death in the face. Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
In Mary and John your Son created a new family at the cross. Fill us with your love, and give all your children a secure hope for the future. Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
The centurion was astonished to recognise your Son in the crucified Messiah.
Open the eyes of those who do not know you to grasp in your Son the meaning of life and death. Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Nicodemus came to take your Son's body away. Give hope and faith to the dying and bereaved, gentleness to those who minister to them, and courage to those whose faith is secret. Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Simon and Nicodemus, Mary and John were drawn into the life of your church in Jerusalem.
Bring into your Church today a varied company of people,
to walk with Christ in the way of his passion,
and to find your salvation in the victory of his cross.
Lord of the Church:
hear our prayer, and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.
829 I stand amazed in the presence
Blessing
May he send us out
to glory in his cross,
and live no longer for ourselves but for him,
who died and was raised to life for us. And the blessing ...
The Homilies
Sealed with a kiss Mark 14.43-47
MK 14:43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
The kiss. A sign of greeting in many cultures, and a sign of affection, love, passion. But of betrayal?
Judas betrayed Jesus because he couldn't cope with his teaching and the kind of kingdom he was bringing in. Judas expected and wanted an earthly kingdom, brought about by plotting and violence. He wanted to receive riches and earthly benefits. So, as Treasurer, he stole from the communal pot of money, John 12.6. Jesus knew from early on that Judas would betray him John 6.64. At the Last Supper he told his disciples one of them would betray him. Even then the disciples did not suspect Judas ( 13.22 ).
Was it greed, the failure of Jesus to live up to his expectations, or evil (13.27) that led to Judas' betrayal? Perhaps it was a combination, building up and overwhelming him?
We still live in a world where greed, false expectations, and evil lead people away from the right path. Despite this, God can still offer forgiveness and redeem seemingly hopeless situations in his resurrection power.
An innocent man? Matthew 27.15- 26
Matthew 27:15 Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. 22 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" 23 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" 25 All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Our newspapers are full of stories with politicians making mistakes. Pilate's career was littered with rash and foolish acts. Palestine was a difficult place to govern and Pilate always came to Jerusalem from his headquarters in Caesarea during the Passover because this could be a troublesome time. He was torn. He could offend the Jews and, perhaps inspire a revolt or provoke even more complaints to Rome about his leadership. Alternatively, he could condemn an innocent man.
Barabbas was a notorious prisoner (Matt 27:16), arrested with others for robbery, treason, and murder. Jesus was a truly innocent man. Innocent of the accusations made against him. Innocent of any sin in his whole life.
Jesus took the place of Barabbas. On the cross he took our place as he paid the price for our sin. This Easter we have acknowledged and proclaimed this writing our names on the White Cross.
Pilate declared that he himself was innocent, then had Jesus flogged and handed over to be crucified! He was guilty of a sin of omission. Failing to stand up for what is right. This led to the unjust death of the one and only, true, innocent victim.
Today, do we take action and speak up for those suffer injustice?
We all need to avoid being like Pilate. We need to rely upon the innocent blood of Jesus, shed for us on the cross, to put us right with God.
Tears for fear. Luke 22.54-62
22:54 Then seizing Jesus, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." 57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60 Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Peter was brash and impulsive. He had declared that he would go with Jesus to prison and death. Yet Jesus had immediately told him he would deny him three times before the rooster crows, Lk. 22.33f. He showed his willingness to defend Jesus by cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant with a sword, Jn. 18.10. Jesus rebuked him for this, and on other occasions when Peter failed to understand the way Jesus had to follow.
Peter was from Galilee in the north, with a distinctive accent that would be noticed in the high priest's courtyard. Like Pilate he was faced with a choice. Self-preservation or standing up for Jesus. He defended himself with a lie, the rooster crowed, Jesus looked at him, he went outside and wept bitterly. His own strength had not been enough in the face of opposition and the fear of death.
After Jesus had forgiven and restored him by Galilee and he had been filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter was able to boldly face those who had murdered his resurrected Lord.
If we try to follow Jesus in our own strength we will fail. We can come to Jesus for forgiveness. In the knowledge of the resurrection and the power of the Spirit we can face a world that is often hostile to Jesus and witness to his redeeming love.
Adopted. John 19.25-27
JN 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
At the temple, when Jesus was dedicated to God as a baby, Lk 2.33 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Mary was at the cross. Her son would be in agony and his side would be pierced with a sword, and she, too was going through immense pain. Jesus shows his care for her by asking John to adopt her as his mother.
John is described by himself in his gospel "as the disciple whom Jesus loved." Not out of boasting but out of gratitude and wonder that Jesus could love him. He was first known for his undue ferocity, intolerance, and selfish ambition. Eventually he became especially known for his gentleness and kindly love. This transformation led Jesus to ask him to look after his mother, who was by then a widow.
When Jesus was arrested, John fled, as did the other apostles ( Matt 26:56), but he recovered enough courage to be present at the trial of Jesus. Through his acquaintance with the high priest, he was able to have Peter come in too (John 18:16).
We have a God who adopts us as his own and transforms us by His Spirit. He also calls us into his family. This may not always be easy, but God calls us to grow in our love for him and one another by being part of his family.
Paradise regained - Luke 23.38-43
Luke 23:38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. " 43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Today people are encouraged to share their feelings more. This can be helpful in some circumstances, although some people feel that this gives them permission to vent their feelings upon others. We see examples of this in 'road rage' incidents and, people shooting innocent victims. The first criminal vents his feelings on Jesus. In contrast, the second is more reflective.
There is a sense in which this second criminal symbolizes all Christians. He acknowledges that he has done wrong and deserves punishment. He realizes that Jesus is unjustly punished, and asks Jesus to save him. Although he may not have seen his conversion in quite the way we might, you might say that this man was the first ever Christian. The first to be saved by Jesus' death.
43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Paradise actually means a walled garden. It looked forward to a coming age of the Messiah where man and God would be together, like the garden of Eden before the fall.
We should not get too worried about the time aspect, today you will be with me in paradise, if we remember that God is outside time. So we should see paradise and heaven as the same, a dwelling of humankind and God, free from the constraints of time, sin, and death.
This is the kingdom, or reign of God that we can look forward to. We are called to live under his reign, now and into eternity.
GOOD FRIDAY 18th April 2003 THE SERVICE Welcome & Notices Opening Acclamations 166 Give me a sight O Saviour Mark 15:33-37 We will say all the Psalms together.
Each psalm or group of psalms ends with... Psalm 22 Sermon Part 1 745 Were you there Confession We fail to share the pain of your
suffering: Lord, forgive. We run away from those who abuse
you: Lord, forgive. We are afraid of being known to
belong to you: Lord, forgive. May the Father of all mercies Song: Wonderful grace Luke 23:32-46 Psalm 31 Sermon Part 2 A Creed 465 Meekness & majesty John 19:25-37 Psalm 34 Sermon Part 3
458 Man of sorrows Blessing |
THE ( THREE-PART ) SERMON Mark 15:33-37 Psalm 22 SERMON PART 1 Today we will be looking at the
words of Jesus from the cross and, at times, seeing how
they, or the circumstances of the cross link to the Psalms.
Luke 23:32-46 Psalm 31 SERMON PART 2 Dividing up his clothes. It was the accepted right of the executioner's
squad to claim the minor possessions of the victim. Jesus'
clothing probably consisted of an under and an outer garment,
a belt, sandals and possibly a head covering. Unwittingly
the soldiers were fulfilling the words of Ps 22:18 They divide my garments among them and
cast lots for my clothing. "Father, into your hands
I commit my spirit." John 19:25-37 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood
his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there,
and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said
to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"
27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."
From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Psalm 34 SERMON PART 3 Verse 26 Dear
woman, here is your son,"
27 and to the disciple, "Here
is your mother." 28 Later, knowing that all was
now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled,
Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was
there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on
a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 33 But when they came to Jesus
and found that he was already dead, they did not break his
legs. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would
be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," 30 When he had received the drink,
Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed
his head and gave up his spirit. |