Good Friday • Year B

Historical Collect

Almighty God, look with mercy on your family of faith who are gathered here and across the world, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given over into the hands of sinners and to suffer death on the cross; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Thematic Collect

God of all mercy and grace, look with favor on your world for which your Son suffered death on the cross. Draw us to him, grant us your salvation, and bring us to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

The Common Thread

Without a peep, one man bore the transgressions of a world. The sin of every person who has ever lived, is living now, and who will ever live, was laid upon him. Our iniquities crushed him. More crushing still, was his forsaken sate, forsaken because his Father has no fellowship with sin. Because he bore our iniquities, God turned away from him. Yet because of his sacrifice, we may be accounted righteous; God will turn toward sinners like us for his sake. Hold fast to this confession and draw near to God. The crucified one has provided you with eternal access to his Father. 

First Reading • Isaiah 52:13–53:12

Here is prophecy that anyone may see is about the suffering servant. A man of sorrows, pierced and crushed by our sins, the Messiah humbly receives the will of the Lord, so as to bear the sins of many.

Psalm • Psalm 22:1-31

Is there any other psalm that so clearly depicts what would happen to Jesus on the cross? Down to the detail of his Father not heading his cries of agony, the afflicted one is prophesied to accomplish God's will without complaining. Instead, he proclaims the rightness and holiness of God.

or Psalm 31:1-24 (Psalm 31 Puzzle)
Where else could the king take refuge than in the Lord? He alone is rock and fortress, in whom one may put his trust and commit his spirit. He is gracious to those in distress. Our times and our very souls are in God's hands. To whom may we turn but the Lord?

Second Reading • Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9

Confession is good for the soul. When we confess, the Lord gives forgiveness and eternal life (Rom 10:9; 1 Tim 6:12). The writer of Hebrews gives an illustration that we can understand. Jesus, our great high priest, was a man too. He was also tempted. The difference was that Jesus did not sin. But having been tempted himself, he still understands our plight. So, we may turn to him with confidence and make the good confession: We believe. We still believe in spite of ourselves! This is the solid food, the meat of the faith: forgiveness is available to poor sinners who hold fast to their confession of Christ.

Gospel • John 18:1–19:42

Jesus was completely willing to do his Father's will. Even when his disciple would join the battle with sword in hand, Jesus had him sheath the sword. The time for battle had come and gone when Jesus asked his disciples to spend an hour in prayer for him. Jesus had already fought the battle on his knees and was now ready for its conclusion. “Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” And so, he was ready to face Annas, Caiaphas, the denial of friends and disciples, Pilate, flogging, and even crucifixion.