GOOD FRIDAY A Journey to the Cross by Pastor Ross Kershaws

Prelude Music
 
The meal was over.  Judas had left.  Jesus took the next step in his journey to the cross.  This is the deep prayer of One who knew the agony that lay ahead.  May we hear it with our hearts.
 
Luke 22:39-46
He [Jesus] came out [of the Upper Room] and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.  45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”

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The imagery surrounding Jesus and the Passover Feast was thick.  Luke sets the stage by saying, “Then came the day of unleavened bread, on which the Passover Lamb had to be sacrificed.”    A Lamb unto God. 
 
Hear the words of John the Baptist from very early in the Gospel of John.   “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” [John 1:29]   And later, “The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”” [John 1:35-36]  You wonder what those listening at that time thought about that image applied to a person? 
 
The lamb was the ultimate symbol of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and from sin according to the Levitical Code.
 
Song:  “Lamb of God” The Faith We Sing #2113
 
Your only Son, no sin to hide, but you have sent him from your side,
    to walk upon this guilty sod, and to become the Lamb of God.
Your gift of love they crucified they laughed and scorned him as he died,
    the humble king they named a fraud and sacrificed the Lamb of God
 
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God! 
   O wash me in his precious blood – my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God
 
I was so lost I should have died, but you have brought me to your side,
   to be led by your staff and rod, and to be called a lamb of God.
 
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God! 
   O wash me in his precious blood – my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God
 
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God! 
   O wash me in his precious blood – my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God
 
Our Deliverance
Jesus, the Lamb of God, is our ultimate symbol of deliverance from sin.  He carried our infirmities and transgressions to the cross in order to bring forgiveness and new life.
 
   “Life’s heaviest burdens are not measured in pounds.  Rather, they are measured by mental anguish and marked by emotional distress.  The sense of sin, the weight of wrongdoing, the gravity of guilt – these are life’s truly heavy burdens.
   But how much does the wickedness of the whole world weigh?  How heavy are the sins of the entire human race?  These were the burdens Jesus bore as he stumbled down the “Way of Sorrows” toward Calvary.
   Amazingly, the gospel writers did not dwell on the depth of Jesus’ suffering.  They avoided sensationalism and downplayed the details.  They stuck strictly to the facts. Even the awful act of crucifixion was reported with stark simplicity: “Here they crucified him.””    The Way of Sorrows (Via Dolorosa) [Footprints in the Holy Land, by Linden D. Kirby]
 
When Jesus laid down his life for us, the grace of God was sent flooding across the world, touching nations and peoples and most of all … you and me.
 
The Lamb of God is also The Good Shepherd
 
John 10:11-16 Common English Bible (CEB)
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 When the hired hand sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. That’s because he isn’t the shepherd; the sheep aren’t really his. So the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 He’s only a hired hand and the sheep don’t matter to him.
14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I give up my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, with one shepherd.
17 “This is why the Father loves me: I give up my life so that I can take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I give it up because I want to. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it up again. I received this commandment from my Father.”

 
Life Laid Down
   In these verses from John 10 we are struck by Jesus’ knowledge of what he was to do for all humanity.  In the dual role of both Lamb and Shepherd he was fully aware of the sacrifice he would make on our behalf. 
   As Shepherd He says, “The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  He is laying down his life for the good of God’s flock – a flock redefined as all of humanity, without boundary or exclusion.  All are invited to follow the Shepherd.  In following the Shepherd, we know that we have his full and complete protection.  He will defend us against evil.  He will protect us from predators.  He will lay down his life for us.  He will give us his peace.
  
   As the Lamb of God, he will fulfill all prophesy about the New Covenant.  No longer need the blood sacrifices be made.  The Great High Priest, the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God – all names and roles for Jesus - has once and for all given humanity a direct access to the love of God.  There is nothing that stands between us and the God of Grace and Love.
 
   As Jesus lays down his life for us, we are aware that he also reclaims that life.  Hear verses 17-18 again.  “This is why the Father loves me: I give up my life so that I can take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I give it up because I want to. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it up again.” 
   He is the Lord who conquers sin through forgiveness, but he is also the Lord who will conquer death.  But that is a story for Easter.
 
   As I read the account of Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion in Luke you may be aware of amazing reversals.  In the midst of these reversals we may find facets of ourselves.  In the kindness and grace of the Good Shepherd, we, like Peter, will find the encouragement and hope to rise from the ashes of sin and error, and to claim our partnership with God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
 
Hear the Word of God as it testifies to the suffering of our Savior.
 
The Arrest and Trial Before the Religious Authorities                           Luke 22:47-71
 
While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” 49 When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”
 
54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
 
63 Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; 64 they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 They kept heaping many other insults on him.
66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. 67 They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68 and if I question you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”

 
Jesus before the Roman Authorities                                                           Luke 23:1-25
 
Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” 3 Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5 But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.”
 
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9 He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12 That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.
 
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”
18 Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!” 19 (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” 23 But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

 
Song: “Were You There”  UM Hymnal #288                                              Luke 23:26-56
 
The Crucifixion and Burial
 
As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and 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 this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”  And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah?  Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “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 in the afternoon, 45 while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. 47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” 48 And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49 But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
 
50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51 had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.  55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

 
 
   “Judas, the disciple of Jesus, breaks ranks and betrays him.  Joseph of Arimathea, an elite Pharisee, breaks ranks and buries him.  Peter, his chief disciple, disowns him.  His chief executioner, a Roman centurion, extols him.  A Roman governor tried to release him.  An unnamed criminal places faith in him.
   Things couldn’t be more confusing.  In the chaos of the Creator’s crucifixion comes the stunning revelation of who stands with who.  Upside down is right side up now.  Least is greatest, Last is first.  High noon will become pitch dark.  In remembering the ancient history of the Passover, the door to the eternal kingdom of God opens wide.”  [J.D. Walt, Listen to Him]
 
In this night, may Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Good Shepherd, open anew to you the way of grace and peace.  Go in peace, covered by the Prince of Peace.  Amen.