Good Friday Service

Here are notes I used for my part of the service.

John 19:25-27 –

25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!" 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

“But…”

• Some translations omit; others use now, and…
• But seems to be the most appropriate term
• But what?

24b So the soldiers did these things…

• Stripped Jesus, mocked him, beat him, crucified him
• Divided his possessions among them
• Cast lots for his tunic
• Treated him as just another unfortunate criminal

“But” in comparison to the soldiers, there were those who stood by Jesus.

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished…

Jesus accomplished something significant in giving John to his mother, and his mother to John.

“Behold your son… Behold your mother…”

• Similar words used in betrothal
• Betrothal: A change in relationship
• Formation of a new community based on Christ and the cross – beginning of the church
• John’s crucifixion account is very brief – soldiers and women + John
• World’s principles (represented by soldiers) divide; Christ’s love unites – this is the main point John is making in his crucifixion account

Matthew 12:46-50 –

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

• Promise of new type of family based on spiritual ties starting to be fulfilled
• A prediction that new family will face pressures from outside
• And a demonstration of how new family is to handle such pressures – care for one another

The best witness that we can bear for Christ is to demonstrate Christ’s love in action as we care for one another. As we do so, we demonstrate a clear contrast between the relationships of the world that are found apart from God, and the relationships that are based upon God’s love.

(All texts from the English Standard Version.)