Pastor: One author has written: “Jesus was born crucified. Whenever he became conscious of “who he was,” he also became conscious of “what he had to do.” The “cross-shaped shadow” could always be seen. And “the screams of hells imprisoned” could always be heard.
This explains “the glint of determination” on his face as he turned to go to Jerusalem for the last time. He was on his very own “death march.”
This explains “the resoluteness in his words,” “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”
So call it what you wish: An “act of grace.” A “plan of redemption…” “A martyr’s sacrifice…” But whatever you call it, don’t call it “an accident.” It was anything but that.”
Good Friday was awful. We like the story of “the Conquering King” – but we squirm at the thought of a “Suffering Servant.” Yet, that is what Jesus was – he was “OUR Suffering Servant” – before he became “OUR Conquering King.” We are reminded of this fact every year on Good Friday. It is a day of darkness. The Latin word for darkness is “tenebrae”. It can also mean “shadows”. If ever there was “a day of shadows” in Christian history – it was on Good Friday. It was a day when “all light” – “all hope” – seemed to be extinguished. The candle of Christ – the light set on a hill – was gone. The disciples were left – confused – bewildered – lost – alone-with feelings of only defeat.
Why should they have been? Did they not know the scripture? Did they not realize that he must come as a “Suffering Servant” – before he would return as a “Conquering King?”
LEADER-1: “Just watch my servant blossom! Exalted, tall, head and shoulders above the crowd! But he didn’t begin that way. At first everyone was appalled. He didn’t even look human— a ruined face, disfigured past recognition.”
LEADER-2: “The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look.”
ALL: “He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.”
LEADER-1: “We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled “all our sins,” everything “we’ve done wrong,” on him. He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn’t say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence
ALL: “Justice miscarried, and he was led off— and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave of a rich man, Even though he’d never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn’t true.”
LEADER-2: “God, God… my God! Why did you dump me miles from nowhere? Doubled up with pain, I call to God all the day long. No answer. Nothing. I keep at it all night, tossing and turning. And you! Are you indifferent, above it all, leaning back on the cushions of Israel’s praise? We know you were there for our parents: they cried for your help and you gave it; they trusted and lived a good life. And here I am, a nothing—an earthworm, something to step on, to squash. Everyone pokes fun at me; they make faces at me, they shake their heads: “Let’s see how God handles this one; since God likes him so much, let him help him!”
ALL: “Now answer me, God, because you love me; Let me see your great mercy full-face. Don’t look the other way; your servant can’t take it. I’m in trouble. Answer right now! Come close, God; get me out of here. Rescue me from this deathtrap.”
LEADER-1: “When they got to the place called the Skull, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.” Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, “He saved others. Let’s see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!” The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: “So you’re King of the Jews! Save yourself!” Printed over him was a sign: This is the King of the Jews,” it read.
LEADER2: “The high priests, along with the religion scholars and leaders, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: “He saved others—he can’t save himself! King of Israel, is he? Then let him get down from that cross. We’ll all become believers then! He was so sure of God—well, let him rescue his ’Son’ now—if he wants him! He did claim to be God’s Son, didn’t he?” Even the one criminal crucified next to him joined in the mockery. From noon to three, the whole earth was dark.”
ALL: “But the fact is, it was “our pains” he carried— our “disfigurements,” “all the things wrong with us.” We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for “his own failures.” But it was “our sins” that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—“our sins!” He took the punishment that made us whole. Through his bruises “we get healed.”
Pastor: Good Friday was an awful day. We like the story of the “Conquering King” – but we squirm at the thought of a “Suffering Servant.” Yet that is what Jesus was – he was our “Suffering Servant” – before he became our “Conquering King.”
Tenebrae – it is a day of “shadows – it is a day of darkness.” But before the dawn – there is always darkness – but at least we know that sooner or later, a new day will be upon the horizon! And the light will shine again…
Sometimes, you just have to wait for it!
You have to remain hopeful…you have to hang on, by any thread that you can find…
And, some call it “faith” and “being faithful” – that’s what I want to hang on to…
Amen.