Good Friday: Richards sermon on Palm Sunday appropriate for use here today.
Showing posts with label Good Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good Friday. Show all posts
Friday, 29 March 2024
Friday, 7 April 2023
Good Friday 2023
If my memory serves me right, and it sometimes does, 'Good Friday' was always a holiday, and a day when most things closed down, at least in Scotland. Clearly this is not the pattern today. Shops are open, football is being played, and while many do have a day off for a holiday they do not comprehend it does appear that Jesus dying for you and me, taking our sinful nature and ending it on the cross, means little to those living out that nature and finding no satisfaction from it.
Now we know that while many more people attended church's of all denominations in times past, we also know the minority were true believers. Most were nominal, though many had some depth of faith. However, the nation accepted the Christian holidays as 'Holy Days' and forsook most activities on them. Not all did of course, and many who did observe cared little for God. The false religion has long since disappeared, 'Diversity' is God now. A diversity that accepts no equal and has captured the nation and no-one noticed. The church was asleep and soon the church in all its forms will be outlawed for speaking out the truth.
Jesus however, remains in charge. His death, while ignored by most, will continue to speak for all who come to him. He is alive to receive them and will never turn any away.
Jesus before Pilate
Matt: 26:.Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied.
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge – to the great amazement of the governor.
15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[b] Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, ‘Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest 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 the Messiah?’ 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, ‘His blood is 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.
The soldiers mock Jesus
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers round him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said. 30 They spat on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The crucifixion of Jesus
32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means ‘the place of the skull’). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.
38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!’ 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, “I am the Son of God.”’ 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The death of Jesus
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’).
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, ‘He’s calling Elijah.’
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, ‘Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.’
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[f] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
The burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Matt: 26:.Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied.
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge – to the great amazement of the governor.
15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[b] Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, ‘Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest 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 the Messiah?’ 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, ‘His blood is 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.
The soldiers mock Jesus
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers round him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said. 30 They spat on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The crucifixion of Jesus
32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means ‘the place of the skull’). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.
38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!’ 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, “I am the Son of God.”’ 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The death of Jesus
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’).
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, ‘He’s calling Elijah.’
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, ‘Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.’
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[f] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
The burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
Friday, 15 April 2022
An Hour at the Cross
As normal on Good Friday we spent 'An Hour at the Cross' at St Paul's at 2 pm, this afternoon. With an 'altogether 'service this morning, and a (short) walk of witness to the town centre for a short praise gathering in the sunshine, many of our lot did not appear this afternoon. The bright sunshine took those with kids away, tiredness removed others, while I avoided the morning meeting so as to be at the 2 pm one, which is more important.
The last couple of occasions different people took turns to read a portion of scripture, the next read a 'reflecion,' then a 'response,' then a 'prayer.' This year it was simplified and three persons only took these parts while we responded.
I have always liked such services as they require time for positive reflection, something normal church services do not allow. It is as if we must get through it all quickly, no time to stop and consider. Indeed, one man told me how he often stops during prayer but many in the congregation dislike this. Possibly thinking is bad for them? Today those who came clearly cogitated as we went through the booklet printed for this purpose. Scanners and copiers are so useful in churches! After an hour considering Jesus' betrayal, arrest, beatings, trial, opposition, and yet not one word justifying himself uttered. Then there was his condemnation by the cheif priests, with finally Pilates 'passing the buck' by 'washing his hands,' and finally the crucifixion, not for his wrongdoing, but for mine and yours.
This is the Love of God.
His love for people like ourselves who recognise how our natures are corrupt, just like everybody else's. How God longs to love us, how he cried out to his people throughout the Old Testament, and how he cries out to each of us again today, no matter how bad. Indeed even the Putin's off this world can be forgiven, if they turn to God. Recognising our nature we recognise also that this death of Jesus was on our behalf, not his. Death, and that on a cross, not something he wanted to undergo, instead it was something he went through out of love for us and his Father that he was willing to endure, and by this opened a way for forgiveness, new life with the Living God, and the hope of eternal life to come, beginning now!
Yes, in spite of the cooker dying while I made use of it, in spite of a possible new neighbour this week, in spite of gas and electric charges, in spite of my many failures, in spite of all this Jesus, God in human flesh, went to the cross for me and you. So, not everything is as bad as it appears.
Friday, 2 April 2021
Good Friday
It was a suitably gray day when I wandered out this morning, gray, cold and nothing like a Jerusalem morning. The exercise was intended to loosen the stiffness caused by my hard work, naturally this failed! I now have aches in places I did not know existed before now.
The somewhat glowering sky did not keep people indoors. From early on the traffic sped by the door in an unending quest for something, I know not what. Both supermarkets, and indeed the Butchers, were open, cars being loaded with important foodstuffs, enough to feed an army or two and avoid starvation over the next three days until the supermarkets are fully open on Tuesday when the whole process will restart again. (One at least will open on Easter Monday) While the foodbank has two openings in town these days and many suffer hardship through the pandemic it is clear many others have enough money to buy urgent things they do not really require, but will buy any shiny thing on offer to seek comfort and happiness.
More real pleasure and happiness in watching the glow of the Daffs in the park to me. A walk by the cricket ground 'Players Only. No Spectators' shouted the sign at the gate. No need, only a groundsman fixing the nets for some future Kids tournament was to be seen. That and a couple of Crows and a Thrush seeking worms were the only ones around. Typical English town, it must have a cricket pitche, with at least a 'first team' and a 'second,' like all other small towns have. The locals take such a game seriously, playing it at some level, talking about it as if it were important, and getting 'hot under the collar' when some question the need to spend time 'Throwing a ball at a man waving a stick?' I cannot understand the fury aroused when suggesting digging up the grass and building houses for the needy! There is a lot of space wasted there, don't you think? Don't these people care...?
After staggering home I decided to do nothing all weekend if I can, though I must hobble to St Ps on Sunday. So, today I watched the church Good Friday Meditation, on YouTube thankfully, and then sought out the football that will fill the rest of the weekend. Obviously with prayer and watchfulness ongoing.
Eggs are found at Eastertime, Bunnies however, ought not to be found in this context! The image of an egg representing 'new life' was well known in Jesus day and Christians took to it well. Today this is more of a chocolate bonanza but, looking at those small cream eggs sitting there with my name on I say it is perfectly acceptable!
I hope your Easter is a good one
Friday, 10 April 2020
Friday, 19 April 2019
Good Friday
Many are enjoying the warmth that has returned for a few days. Outside the sky is pale blue, the blossoms flourish on tress and greedy birds desperate for forage race around as the breeding season is in full bloom also. Men dispense with jackets, girls with almost everything and others have crushed their way to the seaside in long lines of cars or busy railways. Most will travel back in similar fashion. Why they do this I fail to understand.
I merely ensured I was able to take my remaining cough to St P's this after noon for the 'Hour at the Cross' meditation. The vicar was praying i would be healthy enough as she had given me a portion to read! Now I have read this as ordered I suspect the praying will cease and the sickness return!
It is several weeks since I walked that far and I feel it now. Made worse as too few vehicles are around as many are away so offers of lifts were non existent.
How I suffer!
The weather is warm, the wind light, the knees upset.
Nothing changes bar the weather.
This meant I lazily made use of a Pizza I had in the freezer, cheaper than 'Pizza Huts,' and fills a large space.
One BBC offering is David Suchet with 'In the Steps of St Peter.' This two part programme traced Peter's life from the Sea of Galilee to Rome. Apart from being too slanted a Roman Catholic offering it was not that bad a programme. Some points were clearly either wrong or er, misunderstood, but overall it must have been great for him to explore these places and make the programmes. Hard work at times but fun also.
One noticeable BBC aspect was the number of women involved. Almost every 'expert' good and bad, was female, I suspect when fishing in the Lake the director was upset he had to use a boat full of men rather than one run by women. For the BBC this was not bad an effort and I quite enjoyed it, especially the bots I could indicate were erroneous! Great fun.
There is also a programme shown this morning that I missed featuring a large black woman and a male discussing 'Britain's Music Traditions.' Much more BBC in appearance but I ave not yet watched this and will do so later.
I am listening to Radio 4's 'Witness: Behind Luke's Story,' with Ernie Rea and the first 15 minute programme, from 2007, was quite good and I have hope for the rest. Radio 3 has of course relevant music today and Sunday and the Essay has had a few interesting 15 minute programmes also. So pagan BBC has been reasonably successful so far, not as it ought to be but better than it has been in the past.
However tonight I will be seeking out BBC Scotland channel for Ayr United v Ross County, life must go on...
Friday, 30 March 2018
Friday, 14 April 2017
Good Friday
'Good Friday' is not what it was. Once upon a time this was a well received day off for unbelievers and a day to commemorate Christ's crucifixion for believers. Today it is almost a normal day.
At eight this morning I heard lots of banging and thumping going on downstairs. At first I thought it was a local shopkeeper working on the neighbours garden as he was doing this the day before but no it is the men fixing new PVC windows into the downstairs flat. On Good Friday I ask?
Not only a walk around the town shows the churches with doors open, a parade of witness soon to start, and while I expected some shops to be open to grasp every penny available I was surprised at how many are open at normal times. The museum is open as usual also as it was last year, very strange I say but there will be events going on and folks will come in. Two nearby building sites are working, JCB digger breaking new ground over the road to disturb us all.
People are out and about but not in massive droves,not yet anyway. For so many it is a day off, I believe factories have closed, surely they would to save money, for many however it appears double time payments (if they are available) are more important.
I joined the redeemed sinners for a contemplative hour this afternoon. A few readings, a song or two, and imagined opinions from Pontius Pilate and others thrown in to try and understand their point of view. I read the Caiaphas part. He was the somewhat pretentious Sadducee who was High Priest that year. The 'elite' wished to keep their position and Jesus threatened that and he was not best pleased. I played his words like a high handed councillor defending his position, a position he did not seem to consider wrong. Quite what he thought when the disciples continued to follow the man Jesus he thought dead I don't know but it must have worried him at some time, there again possibly not. The Centurion, Pilate, Caiaphas all had seen Crucifixion before, though the Jews never used it just the Romans, the Jews preferred to stone people but time was short and the Passover under way so Roman death it was. Each knew something was different about Jesus, Pilate of course did not like nor trust the leading men, indeed I think they got him transferred some time later, the Centurion was used to deaths and recognised something in the manner Jesus took his death, Caiaphas was just too busy gloating over his victory to think straight.
I was glad I did not get the last part to read, it was quite long and contained the imagined words of Judas! This was a part I would not have been happy with. Being typecast as a pretentious, self important, proud, smug Sadducee is OK, but not Judas.
The group broke up quickly and quietly afterwards. Some lost in thought, some unsure what to do now, and so we drifted of home. A different approach to Easter, it makes me wonder what will be on offer on Sunday morning! One thing is sure I will avoid the church tomorrow as 'Messy Church' takes pace, a time when kids play around, create things and get in a mess, I will stay well away.
Friday, 3 April 2015
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