Good Friday
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle B
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 52:13„53:12 (C, RC, E)
Henry Sloane Coffin said of this passage: ñThis is the most influential poem in any literature.'' None of us preachers can have made our way through seminary without becoming lovers of these words by Second Isaiah. They describe in eloquent terms the mission of Israel as seen by the prophet. The poem begins and ends with GodÍs call to his chosen people to a servanthood to be marked by suffering and mistreatment. Their destiny is not deserved. As a people, they are innocent, yet must accept their suffering with grace, understanding that it is through them that the whole of humanity shall be redeemed. In the midst of the poem, we hear the anguish of the called people, but all is consummated in the divine promise: ñBehold, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.''
Any thoughtful person must grieve for all Jews. From the beginning of their recorded history to this very moment, they have suffered terribly as a people. This may not mean that every Jewish person leads a life of suffering „ some of my own friends among the Jews are quite successful and as happy as I „ but as a people, there is no argument. The Holocaust comes first to mind, but other examples are many. The question cries out for answer: ñAs beautiful as the poetry of our text, where is there any evidence that it will ever be fulfilled? Thousands of years have passed, yet humanity seems no nearer to redemption than when Isaiah penned his words? When?''
Is our answer not that Jesus took into his own heart these words, realized that the people of Israel were reborn in him, that henceforth he must live out the destiny of a life of suffering and death, that all might be redeemed? Perhaps it has not been fulfilled in history, not for all nations. But for many. For me. For you. For those to whom we have been called to preach. For those who hear, who accept his Spirit into their own hearts, it has taken place. This divine promise, though not fulfilled, is being fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
Lesson 1: Genesis 22:1-18 (E)
At another time, I should like to deal with this text in greater depth. It contains a profound example of faithfulness, yet of naivete as we understand our faith today. It is the story of AbrahamÍs belief that he must sacrifice the child he loves, Isaac, to please God. Abraham is faithful to his particular understanding of God, Isaac is spared, and God apparently is pleased. A more routine sacrifice is made.
Lesson 1: Wisdom of Solomon 2:1, 12-24 (E)
There is more to life than this life. The righteous know that. Those who live only for their own pleasure are enemies of the righteous.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 10:16-25 (C); Hebrews 10:1-25 (E)
From that time on we no longer need a long list of rules to memorize in order to be righteous. The law is written in our minds and hearts. Because Jesus died for us, we are wiped clean of all guilt, are offered a new beginning. We enter the sanctuary of worship knowing ourselves renewed by the sacrifice of Jesus. Our work henceforth is to encourage each other in doing the work of love and good deeds. Our new Priest, Christ, presides, and we are to gather together regularly until ñthe Day.''
Lesson 2: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 (C, RC)
The Hebrew tradition of the priesthood still influences the theology of the author. Jesus, for him, is high priest according to the order of Mel-chizÍe-dek. Through his suffering and submission to God, he has been made perfect and thus is the means by which we too may find eternal salvation. He is able to sympathize with us in our trials and temptations because he is one ñwho in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.''
Gospel: John 18:1„19:42 (C, RC); John (18:1-40) 19:1-37 (E)
Here is JohnÍs version of the Passion story. It takes Jesus through his capture, his rejection by friends, his pain and humiliation, and finally his death on the cross. The preacher will study this series with care in preparation for preaching. As with all sermons, a brief passage which focuses attention on the heart of the matter will make for a strong sermon.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñThe Mystery Of Our History''
Text: Isaiah 53:5
Theme: How can we possibly make any sense out of this? He was wounded for my transgressions? That makes me whole? Thank God, thank God. But I have trouble understanding. I have perused many a book of Christian theology, have found numerous explanations, yet none really answers my most perplexing questions. I believe it, but how can it make any sense from a human point of view to say that even though I went out to dinner with friends the night of the afternoon my wife broke her wrist playing tennis „ an act of blatant self-centeredness „ IÍm set free of the weight of my sin because Jesus died for me? He would never have done that, not in a million years. IÍm embarrassed to remember it now. But I donÍt deserve to be made whole; I deserve to pay for that. I deserve some kind of consequences. IÍm not sure I even want to be set free without consequences.
I got to struggling about this as I addressed this passage. I thought back a few months when I had surgery for a very painful but, as it turned out, easily curable illness. The surgeon, a member of my congregation, explained the procedure. But I have a weak stomach when it comes to blood and stuff, so I really didnÍt understand what he was saying. But you know what? I still got well. Even though I didnÍt understand how such a complicated procedure could be done, the surgeon understood. I think thatÍs how it is with Jesus. So when I read in the Bible that Jesus died for my sins, I donÍt fully understand it for all my studies and all my preaching. But just as I was home from the hospital in two days and back in my workout routine in less than a week, I also find that I feel set free, hopeful for tomorrow, believing that maybe I can be a better person because of this. He made me want to be better. What he went through „ when I discover that he did it for me as well as for you and all the other folks „ I want to be better than I was and someday better than I am.
ItÍs a mystery. But a voice speaks within me, telling me that whether I understand how it all works or not, Jesus died for my sins and by accepting him as my Lord I can be washed whiter than snow. And that voice assures me that Jesus has arranged for someone, some Spirit, to oversee my life from now on, helping me as I try to be better. ItÍs a strange, surprising turn of events to be sure. But itÍs true.
Of course this is an Old Testament passage. WeÍll not argue about whether Isaiah had Jesus in mind specifically, or whether God arranged things as they turned out, or whether Jesus himself, knowing these words, took them upon himself. What matters to us is that this was fulfilled for us in Jesus Christ.
Title: ñBenefits Of A Sincere Heart''
Text: Hebrews 10:22
Theme: ñLet us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith.'' Here seems to be some answer to my dilemma in the above passage. Had this text gone one more verse, to 26, we would have read: ñFor there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the truth has been made known to us.'' In other words, Jesus died for my sins, but part of the covenant I have with him is that I no longer go on sinning. But of course I do go on sinning. Yet I also come with a sincere heart. That is, I am trying. I am like one woman was quoted as saying, ñI ainÍt what I ought to be, and I ainÍt what I want to be, but thank the Lord, I ainÍt what I used to be.''
1. God forgives because of Jesus. However, we break the contract if we knowingly, and with malice aforethought, go on sinning. But if we are trying to be better, then God will accept that.
2. Though God forgives us, there are still consequences of wrongful actions and words. The night I went to dinner, leaving my wife home with a broken wrist, may be forgiven by God. It was even forgiven by my wife, which of course didnÍt save her from a miserable evening by herself. But I havenÍt yet forgiven myself. Our sins still do damage, forgiven or not.
3. If I have a sincere heart, it will lead me to make apologies and amends for any wrongs I do. If I have a sure faith, I will eventually be able to accept forgiveness.
Title: ñCrucifixion And The Average Person''
Text: John 19:16
Theme: Among other themes, we have the contrast between Jesus courageously facing crucifixion and Peter running away in fear. We understand Peter. His reaction was normal, human. Later events would prove that he was a man of courage. I think what I would emphasize here is the idea of crucifixion, not literal crucifixion, but the crucifying of certain things within ourselves. It takes courage and a lot of faith to do this. Peter would later do so. I see temptations within myself which must be put to death if I am to be what I was created to be. Perhaps you do also. Some of these are the temptation to put myself ahead of other people in vying for attention, the need for recognition, a tendency to want my wife to make me happy while sometimes forgetting that the way this happens is for her to be happy. Then thereÍs a certain amount of corner cutting in some important responsibilities, my worries about money „ I donÍt need to go on. We all either see these things in ourselves or we donÍt. If we donÍt our cause is probably hopeless. Just the other day I heard of a woman of my acquaintance becoming angry and screaming at her handicapped sister because the sister had criticized the woman for being too blunt in the way she talks. I happen to know the woman. She is a good, churchgoing person, but the truth is she is too blunt in her manner of speech. But since she doesnÍt see that, she will never change.
1. We are called to face crucifixion along with Jesus. While not literal crucifixion, this means there is a price to be paid on our part. God gives us free Grace but not a free pass.
2. The price we must pay is that of change. To change begins with soul searching, having the courage to listen to loving critics, facing ourselves in the deepest part of our being.
3. Change isnÍt easy. Maybe itÍs never complete. But each of us is created with qualities of character and inner strength, and we can win those battles through the power of the Holy Spirit.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
At Riverside Church in New York, they used to tell of the time the place was crowded as AmericaÍs foremost preacher, Harry Emerson Fosdick, was to preach. A small group had gathered in the narthex waiting for ushers to show them to the few remaining seats. As the service was about to begin, an usher whispered that there was one seat down in front, and a few in the rear of the balcony. One self-important man pushed forward and said, ñIÍll take the seat in front. I donÍt sit in balconies.'' Another gentleman smiled and said the balcony was just fine for him. The first man obviously hadnÍt recognized the man he had just pushed ahead of: John D. Rockefeller, whose money had built AmericaÍs best-known Protestant church of the time.
__________
In his best-selling book about World War II, Citizen Soldiers, Stephen Ambrose wrote about the Christmas of 1944 on the battlefield in the midst of some of the most violent fighting of AmericaÍs history. He wrote this: ñThe Christmas season highlighted the closeness of the foes. Americans and Germans alike put up Christmas trees and used the debris of war „ chaff, the tinfoil dropped by bombers to fool radar „ to decorate them. Men who would never do such a thing at any other time prepared gifts for other men. On Christmas eve and Christmas day the men on both sides of the lines had an image of a manger in Bethlehem in their minds. They sang the same carols. The universal favorite was ïSilent Night.Í '' Then the author added this: ñBut they were there to kill each other.'' (It wasnÍt the nails which tortured Jesus „ it was this.)
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 22 (C); Psalm 22:1-21 (E) „ ñMy God, why have you forsaken me?''
Psalm 31 (RC) „ ñIn you, O Lord, I seek refuge.''
Prayer Of The Day
Eternal God of love, for the many sins of which we are guilty, those selfish acts, those hurtful words, for the failures to do the kindnesses we could have done, for the unholy thoughts which we have entertained, forgive us. Cleanse us, O God, enable us yet to become the worthy children which we were created to be. In ChristÍs saving name we pray. Amen.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 52:13„53:12 (C, RC, E)
Henry Sloane Coffin said of this passage: ñThis is the most influential poem in any literature.'' None of us preachers can have made our way through seminary without becoming lovers of these words by Second Isaiah. They describe in eloquent terms the mission of Israel as seen by the prophet. The poem begins and ends with GodÍs call to his chosen people to a servanthood to be marked by suffering and mistreatment. Their destiny is not deserved. As a people, they are innocent, yet must accept their suffering with grace, understanding that it is through them that the whole of humanity shall be redeemed. In the midst of the poem, we hear the anguish of the called people, but all is consummated in the divine promise: ñBehold, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.''
Any thoughtful person must grieve for all Jews. From the beginning of their recorded history to this very moment, they have suffered terribly as a people. This may not mean that every Jewish person leads a life of suffering „ some of my own friends among the Jews are quite successful and as happy as I „ but as a people, there is no argument. The Holocaust comes first to mind, but other examples are many. The question cries out for answer: ñAs beautiful as the poetry of our text, where is there any evidence that it will ever be fulfilled? Thousands of years have passed, yet humanity seems no nearer to redemption than when Isaiah penned his words? When?''
Is our answer not that Jesus took into his own heart these words, realized that the people of Israel were reborn in him, that henceforth he must live out the destiny of a life of suffering and death, that all might be redeemed? Perhaps it has not been fulfilled in history, not for all nations. But for many. For me. For you. For those to whom we have been called to preach. For those who hear, who accept his Spirit into their own hearts, it has taken place. This divine promise, though not fulfilled, is being fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
Lesson 1: Genesis 22:1-18 (E)
At another time, I should like to deal with this text in greater depth. It contains a profound example of faithfulness, yet of naivete as we understand our faith today. It is the story of AbrahamÍs belief that he must sacrifice the child he loves, Isaac, to please God. Abraham is faithful to his particular understanding of God, Isaac is spared, and God apparently is pleased. A more routine sacrifice is made.
Lesson 1: Wisdom of Solomon 2:1, 12-24 (E)
There is more to life than this life. The righteous know that. Those who live only for their own pleasure are enemies of the righteous.
Lesson 2: Hebrews 10:16-25 (C); Hebrews 10:1-25 (E)
From that time on we no longer need a long list of rules to memorize in order to be righteous. The law is written in our minds and hearts. Because Jesus died for us, we are wiped clean of all guilt, are offered a new beginning. We enter the sanctuary of worship knowing ourselves renewed by the sacrifice of Jesus. Our work henceforth is to encourage each other in doing the work of love and good deeds. Our new Priest, Christ, presides, and we are to gather together regularly until ñthe Day.''
Lesson 2: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 (C, RC)
The Hebrew tradition of the priesthood still influences the theology of the author. Jesus, for him, is high priest according to the order of Mel-chizÍe-dek. Through his suffering and submission to God, he has been made perfect and thus is the means by which we too may find eternal salvation. He is able to sympathize with us in our trials and temptations because he is one ñwho in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.''
Gospel: John 18:1„19:42 (C, RC); John (18:1-40) 19:1-37 (E)
Here is JohnÍs version of the Passion story. It takes Jesus through his capture, his rejection by friends, his pain and humiliation, and finally his death on the cross. The preacher will study this series with care in preparation for preaching. As with all sermons, a brief passage which focuses attention on the heart of the matter will make for a strong sermon.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñThe Mystery Of Our History''
Text: Isaiah 53:5
Theme: How can we possibly make any sense out of this? He was wounded for my transgressions? That makes me whole? Thank God, thank God. But I have trouble understanding. I have perused many a book of Christian theology, have found numerous explanations, yet none really answers my most perplexing questions. I believe it, but how can it make any sense from a human point of view to say that even though I went out to dinner with friends the night of the afternoon my wife broke her wrist playing tennis „ an act of blatant self-centeredness „ IÍm set free of the weight of my sin because Jesus died for me? He would never have done that, not in a million years. IÍm embarrassed to remember it now. But I donÍt deserve to be made whole; I deserve to pay for that. I deserve some kind of consequences. IÍm not sure I even want to be set free without consequences.
I got to struggling about this as I addressed this passage. I thought back a few months when I had surgery for a very painful but, as it turned out, easily curable illness. The surgeon, a member of my congregation, explained the procedure. But I have a weak stomach when it comes to blood and stuff, so I really didnÍt understand what he was saying. But you know what? I still got well. Even though I didnÍt understand how such a complicated procedure could be done, the surgeon understood. I think thatÍs how it is with Jesus. So when I read in the Bible that Jesus died for my sins, I donÍt fully understand it for all my studies and all my preaching. But just as I was home from the hospital in two days and back in my workout routine in less than a week, I also find that I feel set free, hopeful for tomorrow, believing that maybe I can be a better person because of this. He made me want to be better. What he went through „ when I discover that he did it for me as well as for you and all the other folks „ I want to be better than I was and someday better than I am.
ItÍs a mystery. But a voice speaks within me, telling me that whether I understand how it all works or not, Jesus died for my sins and by accepting him as my Lord I can be washed whiter than snow. And that voice assures me that Jesus has arranged for someone, some Spirit, to oversee my life from now on, helping me as I try to be better. ItÍs a strange, surprising turn of events to be sure. But itÍs true.
Of course this is an Old Testament passage. WeÍll not argue about whether Isaiah had Jesus in mind specifically, or whether God arranged things as they turned out, or whether Jesus himself, knowing these words, took them upon himself. What matters to us is that this was fulfilled for us in Jesus Christ.
Title: ñBenefits Of A Sincere Heart''
Text: Hebrews 10:22
Theme: ñLet us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith.'' Here seems to be some answer to my dilemma in the above passage. Had this text gone one more verse, to 26, we would have read: ñFor there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the truth has been made known to us.'' In other words, Jesus died for my sins, but part of the covenant I have with him is that I no longer go on sinning. But of course I do go on sinning. Yet I also come with a sincere heart. That is, I am trying. I am like one woman was quoted as saying, ñI ainÍt what I ought to be, and I ainÍt what I want to be, but thank the Lord, I ainÍt what I used to be.''
1. God forgives because of Jesus. However, we break the contract if we knowingly, and with malice aforethought, go on sinning. But if we are trying to be better, then God will accept that.
2. Though God forgives us, there are still consequences of wrongful actions and words. The night I went to dinner, leaving my wife home with a broken wrist, may be forgiven by God. It was even forgiven by my wife, which of course didnÍt save her from a miserable evening by herself. But I havenÍt yet forgiven myself. Our sins still do damage, forgiven or not.
3. If I have a sincere heart, it will lead me to make apologies and amends for any wrongs I do. If I have a sure faith, I will eventually be able to accept forgiveness.
Title: ñCrucifixion And The Average Person''
Text: John 19:16
Theme: Among other themes, we have the contrast between Jesus courageously facing crucifixion and Peter running away in fear. We understand Peter. His reaction was normal, human. Later events would prove that he was a man of courage. I think what I would emphasize here is the idea of crucifixion, not literal crucifixion, but the crucifying of certain things within ourselves. It takes courage and a lot of faith to do this. Peter would later do so. I see temptations within myself which must be put to death if I am to be what I was created to be. Perhaps you do also. Some of these are the temptation to put myself ahead of other people in vying for attention, the need for recognition, a tendency to want my wife to make me happy while sometimes forgetting that the way this happens is for her to be happy. Then thereÍs a certain amount of corner cutting in some important responsibilities, my worries about money „ I donÍt need to go on. We all either see these things in ourselves or we donÍt. If we donÍt our cause is probably hopeless. Just the other day I heard of a woman of my acquaintance becoming angry and screaming at her handicapped sister because the sister had criticized the woman for being too blunt in the way she talks. I happen to know the woman. She is a good, churchgoing person, but the truth is she is too blunt in her manner of speech. But since she doesnÍt see that, she will never change.
1. We are called to face crucifixion along with Jesus. While not literal crucifixion, this means there is a price to be paid on our part. God gives us free Grace but not a free pass.
2. The price we must pay is that of change. To change begins with soul searching, having the courage to listen to loving critics, facing ourselves in the deepest part of our being.
3. Change isnÍt easy. Maybe itÍs never complete. But each of us is created with qualities of character and inner strength, and we can win those battles through the power of the Holy Spirit.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
At Riverside Church in New York, they used to tell of the time the place was crowded as AmericaÍs foremost preacher, Harry Emerson Fosdick, was to preach. A small group had gathered in the narthex waiting for ushers to show them to the few remaining seats. As the service was about to begin, an usher whispered that there was one seat down in front, and a few in the rear of the balcony. One self-important man pushed forward and said, ñIÍll take the seat in front. I donÍt sit in balconies.'' Another gentleman smiled and said the balcony was just fine for him. The first man obviously hadnÍt recognized the man he had just pushed ahead of: John D. Rockefeller, whose money had built AmericaÍs best-known Protestant church of the time.
__________
In his best-selling book about World War II, Citizen Soldiers, Stephen Ambrose wrote about the Christmas of 1944 on the battlefield in the midst of some of the most violent fighting of AmericaÍs history. He wrote this: ñThe Christmas season highlighted the closeness of the foes. Americans and Germans alike put up Christmas trees and used the debris of war „ chaff, the tinfoil dropped by bombers to fool radar „ to decorate them. Men who would never do such a thing at any other time prepared gifts for other men. On Christmas eve and Christmas day the men on both sides of the lines had an image of a manger in Bethlehem in their minds. They sang the same carols. The universal favorite was ïSilent Night.Í '' Then the author added this: ñBut they were there to kill each other.'' (It wasnÍt the nails which tortured Jesus „ it was this.)
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 22 (C); Psalm 22:1-21 (E) „ ñMy God, why have you forsaken me?''
Psalm 31 (RC) „ ñIn you, O Lord, I seek refuge.''
Prayer Of The Day
Eternal God of love, for the many sins of which we are guilty, those selfish acts, those hurtful words, for the failures to do the kindnesses we could have done, for the unholy thoughts which we have entertained, forgive us. Cleanse us, O God, enable us yet to become the worthy children which we were created to be. In ChristÍs saving name we pray. Amen.
