As we approach the solemnity of Good Friday, we usher you into an episode filled with deep reflection on Jesus's ultimate sacrifice. Join me in a heartfelt prayer before we traverse the harrowing path to the cross, exploring each pivotal moment—from the betrayal to the trials, both before Jewish authorities and Roman rulers. Through the narratives of John and Luke, we witness the unwavering resolve of Jesus to fulfill His Father's will, an act that irrevocably altered the course of history and humankind.
The gravity of Jesus's final words, the encompassing darkness, and the tearing temple curtain are vividly brought to life, inviting you to experience the profound impact of these events as they unfolded on that fateful day. We also honor the quiet dignity of Joseph of Arimathea and the devoted women from Galilee who cared for Jesus's body, even in death. As we conclude with a prayer of gratitude, we're reminded that the story doesn't end at the cross. This episode is not just a recounting of suffering; it's an affirmation of the hope and salvation that pave the way to the joy of Easter Sunday.
Now get out into the world and be a woman who intentionally encourages another!
As we approach the solemnity of Good Friday, we usher you into an episode filled with deep reflection on Jesus's ultimate sacrifice. Join me in a heartfelt prayer before we traverse the harrowing path to the cross, exploring each pivotal moment—from the betrayal to the trials, both before Jewish authorities and Roman rulers. Through the narratives of John and Luke, we witness the unwavering resolve of Jesus to fulfill His Father's will, an act that irrevocably altered the course of history and humankind.
The gravity of Jesus's final words, the encompassing darkness, and the tearing temple curtain are vividly brought to life, inviting you to experience the profound impact of these events as they unfolded on that fateful day. We also honor the quiet dignity of Joseph of Arimathea and the devoted women from Galilee who cared for Jesus's body, even in death. As we conclude with a prayer of gratitude, we're reminded that the story doesn't end at the cross. This episode is not just a recounting of suffering; it's an affirmation of the hope and salvation that pave the way to the joy of Easter Sunday.
Now get out into the world and be a woman who intentionally encourages another!
#women #podcast
Speaker 1:
Good morning Encouragers. Welcome back to our Holy Week series. Today we find ourselves on Good Friday. We know that Friday is good because Sunday is coming. We've read all about how Jesus has been teaching and controversy has stirred, how the Sanhedrin, at this point, is plotting to kill him and how Judas is set up to betray him. We ended yesterday by hearing Jesus pray in Gethsemane, asking God to take this from him if it is his will, and yet being obedient to follow through with the work of the cross as the Lord sees fit. We know he did follow through and we know what comes today. It might be hard to sit in today's scripture and yet we can be reminded that this is not the end of the story. And yet we can be reminded that this is not the end of the story. Today we're going to hear about the betrayal and the arrest, the Jewish trial, the Roman trials and, ultimately, the crucifixion and the burial. You can read about different aspects of Good Friday in almost each of the Gospels. I am going to focus at the beginning on John 18, and I will let you know when I switch to a different Gospel. How about I open us up in prayer? Dear Lord, thank you for this week. Thank you for your word that we get to read to be reminded of the truth. Thank you for your son who, in the ultimate sacrifice, gave his life for us, opening the door and making a way so that we too could join the father. We thank you for the helper that's left behind to teach us further truth. Thank you for Good Friday and we wait in anticipation for Sunday. In your name, amen. John 18, verses 2 through 24.
Speaker 1:
Of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them Whom do you seek? They answered him Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them I am he, nazareth. Jesus said to them I am he. Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again whom do you seek? And they said Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered I told you that I am he. So if you seek me, let these men go. This was to fulfill the word that had been spoken. Of those whom you gave me, I have lost not one.
Speaker 1:
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. So Jesus said to Peter Put your sword into this sheath. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me? So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. It would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
Speaker 1:
Simon Peter followed Jesus and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter stood outside the door. So the other disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door and brought Peter in. The servant girl at the door said to Peter you also are not one of this man's disciples, are you? He said I am not Now. The servants and the officers had made a charcoal fire because it was cold. The servants and the officers had made a charcoal fire because it was cold and they were standing warming themselves. Peter also was with them standing and warming himself.
Speaker 1:
The high priest then questioned Jesus about the disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. They know what I said. When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying Is that how you answer the high priest? Jesus answered him If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong. But if what I said is right, why do you strike me? Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest. Luke 22, verses 66 through 71.
Speaker 1:
When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away to their council and they said If you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them If I tell you you will not believe, and if I ask you you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God. So they all said Are you the Son of God? Then? And he said to them you say that I am. Then they said what further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips. It ourselves from his own lips Luke 23, verses 1 through 54.
Speaker 1:
Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate and they began to accuse him, saying we found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king. And Pilate asked him Are you the king of the Jews? And he answered them you have said so. Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds I find no guilt in this man, but they were urgent, saying he stirs up the people, teaching throughout all of Judea, from Galilee even to this place. When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean, and when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at the time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him because he had heard about him and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by vehemently accusing him, and Herod, with his soldiers, treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate, and Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
Speaker 1:
Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people and said to them you brought me this man as one who was misleading the people and after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him. But they all cried out together Away with this man and release to us Barabbas, a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.
Speaker 1:
Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting Crucify, crucify him A third time. He said to them why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him. But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified, and their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked. But he delivered Jesus over to their will.
Speaker 1:
And as they led him away, they seized one, simon of Syrian, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them, jesus said Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that were never nursed. Then they will begin to say to the mountains, fall on us and to the hills, cover us. For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?
Speaker 1:
Two others, who were criminals, were laid away to be put to death with him, and when they came to the place called the skull there, they crucified him and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by watching. But the ruler scoffed at him, saying he saved others, let him save himself If he is the Christ of God, his chosen one. The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying If you are king of the Jews, save yourself. There was also an inscription over him this is the king of the Jews. One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him saying are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us. But the other rebuked him, saying Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we, indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing wrong. And he said Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And he said to him truly, I say to you today you will be with me in paradise.
Speaker 1:
It was now about the sixth hour and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed and the curtain of the temple tore in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. And, having said this, he breathed his last. Now, when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying Certainly this man was innocent. This man was innocent, and all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts, and all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching these things, a distance watching these things.
Speaker 1:
Now, there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man who had not consented to their decision and action. He was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone where no one had ever yet been laid.
Speaker 1:
It was the day of preparation and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath day, they rested according to the commandment. According to the commandment, dear Lord, we thank you for this word. We thank you for a day of remembrance, although it feels dark and hard and confusing even to reread. Many of us have read it over and over again, each year. We hear it, and yet it's never easier to hear you mocked, to hear the way you were treated with such contempt, the King of Kings, and yet you went through it for us. We thank you for Good Friday. We thank you for the work of the cross that gave us salvation In your name, amen.
