Invocation
Almighty God, Your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that He might draw the whole world to Himself. In the crucifixion, You show Your incredible love for the people You have made, as You pay the price for our sin. Give us eyes to see You there, and ears to hear You speak, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Amen.
Scripture Reading: Mark 15:25-39
25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified Jesus.
26 The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.
27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left.
28And the scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with the lawless ones.” (Isaiah 53)
29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!”
31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves.
“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Devotion by Goodie Bell
As of this morning, 81,000 people worldwide have died from the disease caused by the Coronavirus. 13,000 people have died in the United States—46 in North Carolina. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned that this would be "an incredibly sad and incredibly hard week for our country." We feel that grief and the uncertainty. Yet, on Good Friday, we turn our attention to another death, a death that occurred over 2000 years ago.
Jesus of Nazareth died as countless others did: He was crucified. He was stripped and mocked and beaten. He was nailed to a tree. He was on display as he drew his last, labored breath. Rome used crucifixion not only to kill, but also to shame.
How could God save the world through someone who could not save himself? The cross was foolishness to the Gentiles and a stumbling block to the Jews. Yet it was—and remains—the center of our faith. Why?
Why is Christ's death so important? Other great men and women have died as martyrs for a cause. Other deaths have galvanized a people and begun a new movement. In a week in which there are so many deaths, why is the death of Jesus worthy of our attention? Because Jesus died for us.
He did what we, in our best moments, want to do: He felt our pain. He did even more; he suffered it: He was cursed by men; he felt forsaken by God. He died. He let sin do to him what sin does— alienate and destroy. But he did what only he could: he bore our sorrow.
He died for us. Now, no human life must end with death and alienation from God and those we love. No human life— however foolish or twisted or godless it has been— must end this way. Jesus has saved us, not by saving himself, but by dying our worst death.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ— not the shame of crucifixion, not the affliction of the Coronavirus. God has reached into the pit of hell for us, and He has raised us up with his Son. In our grief and uncertainty, still, Jesus' death demands our attention. He has changed what it means to die— and what it means to live.
Song of Response: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God:
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Words by Isaac Watts, 1707. Music by Lowell Mason, 1824.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, help us to grasp that what happened on the cross happened for us. Humble us before you. Assure us that we never suffer alone. Help us to die to ourselves trust you, for you are trustworthy. We marvel at your mercy and love, oh Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Above artwork: Christ Suffering Over Jerusalem by Sister Mary Corita Kent